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ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Thursday informed Senate that Pakistan is considering to move a resolution in United Nations, urging it to declare the Indian Ocean a "nuclear free zone".
The adviser expressed concern over India's interceptor missile test of its advanced air defence missile Ashwin and vowed to raise the issue with all major powers 'bilaterally and multilaterally'.
He announced that Pakistan is planning to highlight the dangerous implications of India's plans to nuclearise the Indian Ocean at all relevant international forums and a proposal is under consideration to move a resolution in the next session of UN General Assembly to declare the Indian Ocean a "nuclear free zone".
"Apart from this air defence system, India has also recently conducted tests of nuclear capable, submarine based K4 ballistic missiles. Simultaneously large nuclear powered submarines are being built to carry these nuclear armed missile as a part of its second strike nuclear capability," Aziz told Senate.
During his speech to the upper house, Aziz said that these two developments are part of the massive conventional nuclear and missile development programmes being pursued by India, which are now leading to nuclearization of Indian Ocean and will affect the maritime security of all the 32 littoral states around the ocean.
Terming Indian moves 'against the peaceful and friendly' neighbourhood model proposed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Aziz revealed that Pakistan had offered discussions on an ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) system free zone in South Asia during the composite dialogue with India but so far it has not received a favourable response.
He assured the Senators that Pakistan is not oblivious to its defence needs and will upgrade its defense capabilities 'without entering into an arms race'
"Our efforts for peace and friendship must not be interpreted as a sign of weakness," said Sartaj Aziz.
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Comments (62) Closed
May 19, 2016 11:16pm
But why?
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May 19, 2016 11:18pm
India is not what u think is ...India is making trouble for the world needs to be stopped?
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May 19, 2016 11:19pm
First gather the strength to push, then put efforts in line. Only then the push would move anything.
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May 19, 2016 11:19pm
I am sure Pakistan can try this. But it won't yield the desired results. If I were Sartraz I'd make peace with India, put an end to the mistrust we have and outsource the security of Pakistan to India. That would help us cross the border and eat all those lovely dishes we make and play host to one another. I want to visit Pakistan before I die and enjoy the hospitality. I also want to entertain some Pakistanis and treat them to our food which is not so different from what they eat in their homes.
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May 19, 2016 11:19pm
whether we will urge UN for nuclear free south china sea....???
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May 19, 2016 11:20pm
Pakistan is not even have a shore touching Indian Ocean. What is the noise about ?
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May 19, 2016 11:21pm
I wonder if anyone in India is even talking about Pakistan. And you have more than half the news from India here, so much so that Indian readers now direcl6 come here..
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May 19, 2016 11:22pm
Why Pakistan worry ? Pakistan is at least 1000 miles away from Indian ocean.
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May 19, 2016 11:25pm
Mr. Aziz without conventional arms balance a nuclear free south asia is in Indian interest.
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May 19, 2016 11:26pm
And who will listen to you?
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May 19, 2016 11:27pm
why does Pakistan care it barely has a coastline! also shouldn't it be conveying its concerns about the reckless behaviour of china since the south china sea much like the arabian sea is in the Indian ocean!
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May 19, 2016 11:27pm
I wonder why Pak is so much panicked and to some extent fragile, indian ocean is vast region. From India to China and united states patrol extensively in Indian ocean by their aircraft carriers(Pak ain't have any so they are baby there), corvettes, destroyers, nuclear and conventional submarines and frigates. this advise will be rebuked by every permanent united nation members because everyone petrols there and everyone will have a hearty laugh on Pak ludicrous proposal!
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May 19, 2016 11:29pm
Too much reliance on UN!!
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May 19, 2016 11:30pm
Then go and sign NTPT, and throw out all national and intl terror groups and persons and stop terroroism as a state policy, even Afg do not trust what is said! Then only any rational practical steps can be taken! Just crying around with lies and deceptions do not work any more, as is seen in Kargil to Mumbai to Pathankot in recent times!
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May 19, 2016 11:30pm
At one side you are running to become world's third largest nuke arsenal and preaching others about nuclear free zone?
When India declared a no first use policy on nuclear weapons, you know you will use it first at your whim. then you want to discuss ABM free zone with someone who is just trying to protect himself with ABM?
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May 19, 2016 11:31pm
Your Chinese rulers will never agree to this.
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May 19, 2016 11:35pm
Pakistan is not oblivious to its defence needs and will upgrade its defense capabilities 'without entering into an arms race'
"Our efforts for peace and friendship must not be interpreted as a sign of weakness,"
well concluded.
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May 19, 2016 11:38pm
yes we need to ask UN
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May 19, 2016 11:38pm
"Our efforts for peace and friendship
must not be interpreted as a sign of
weakness," said Sartaj Aziz.
sir we are working on second strike capability which means defence..With India having no first strike policy why are you afraid sir
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May 19, 2016 11:40pm
Let Pakistan take the initiative and come with the offer of destroying all their nuclear weapons; India will certainly welcome the initiative and will accept to destroy their own nuclear weapons; Let us make the whole area nuclear weapons free, instead of only Indian Ocean.
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May 19, 2016 11:49pm
Chinese will never agree to this.
As for India, their declared policy is Global Nuclear dis-armament meaning no country in the world should have nuclear weapons at all - Alas, Pakistan will never agree to this.
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May 19, 2016 11:50pm
Push or pull nothing will happen
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May 19, 2016 11:52pm
What is the point of these daily shenanigans in the UN? There are 3 countries in the region with nuclear weapons out of which 2 - India & China have a "No first strike" nuclear policy whereas Pakistan is the only country which does not have that policy. Pakistan could've put this issue to bed a long time ago by declaring a "No first strike" policy but it didn't & instead its leaders resorted to regular nuclear blackmail to force a compromise on Kashmir by India. So India has every right to develop second strike capability as well as anti ballistic interceptors. Pakistan can't have its cake & eat it too. The UN or the international community will not buy this twisted logic.
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May 19, 2016 11:53pm
Rattled to the core.
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May 19, 2016 11:55pm
Plz also include pacific and Atlantic oceans in your list .....along with nuclear free Indian ocean resolution in UN.
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May 20, 2016 12:03am
Okk why only in Indian ocean why not in south asia?
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May 20, 2016 12:07am
If you can not compete, complain !!!
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May 20, 2016 12:07am
Aziz Sahib- Why just Indian Ocean, please move a resolution in United Nations urging it to declare the both Indian and Pakistani air space a "nuclear free zone".
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May 20, 2016 12:08am
Mr Sartaj Aziz has termed Indian moves 'against the peaceful and friendly' neighbourhood model proposed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Thank you. Good statement from a peace loving country..
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May 20, 2016 12:08am
Someone has said this wise thing: “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. ”
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May 20, 2016 12:13am
So American Navy will not be able to carry Nuclear Weapons when they sail thru India ocean or dock the American Navy ships in Diego Garcia? Highly unlikely scenario.
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May 20, 2016 12:14am
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference". The last part is sorely missing.
You are creating a lot of noise. Is anybody listening? Does anyone care for your concerns?
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May 20, 2016 12:14am
India ran to UN for Kashmir, now day after day Pakistan is running and intends to run to UN, i hope right lessons are drawn from history.
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May 20, 2016 12:15am
@Ali jee sorry Ali, India is simply improving its defense against declared trouble maker of the world!
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May 20, 2016 12:17am
Why now - only because our neighbours have a new capability ? - I would have respected our leaders more if they had done this before India tested their new missle
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May 20, 2016 12:18am
This is a great step on the part of Pakistan and the whole world community as well as all nations around the Indian Ocean should support it. It is in the interest of our region and for the betterment of our children's future. Good step on the part of Pakistan.
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May 20, 2016 12:21am
@Deepak Kumar Wonder why so many indians come and bombard Pakistani comment sections with troll commentary like yourself. Dont you already have your own country to harass.
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May 20, 2016 12:25am
A good suggestion on the part of Pakistan but let us think whether the toothless UN will take any action to stop the region from proliferation or entering into a nuclear race because America is backing up India in the whole dramatic situation
.
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May 20, 2016 12:26am
UN may have listened to Pakistan if they would not have made Smaller nuclear weapons.
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May 20, 2016 12:28am
There was another report where a Russian said that the Indian missile may not be able to intercept many of Pak missiles.
If that's the case, Sartaj Aziz should be happy. I don't understand why on earth is he tensed about it..
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May 20, 2016 12:30am
Rather than doing all this just take action on RCN on JeM and we will be living in peace....
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May 20, 2016 12:30am
How about working together to make South Asia region free from terrorism??
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May 20, 2016 12:37am
Had India heeded to legitimate UN resolutions, Kashmir issue would have long been resolved and instead of map-sagas.
Best approach for Pakistan is to strengthen her population through unity, equal justice and due care. With public united, no one can dare challenge her, ever.
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May 20, 2016 01:27am
Mr. Ashraf Ghani has been asking for long to make the Af-Pak region a Taliban-free zone. Please consider acting on that.
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May 20, 2016 01:35am
Looks like Pakistan will continue to invest in armaments and thus divert relatively higher percent of its precious budget for maintaining its capability level. This will be a drag on economic growth. This cycle which has been on for decades will continue. This may make the dependence on foreign aid and need for a big-brother critical. Complications from extremism, religious intolerance, dysfunctional bureaucracy, threat of internal schism and corruption will continue to make Armed Forces the one real solid dependable national institution. Thus perpetuating and continuing this cycle. Why would others have to worry beyond what they already do - this cycle will keep Pakistan on a slow growth path and thus limiting the real/perceived danger or use to neighbours or world powers.
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May 20, 2016 01:39am
@Sudhir Neyalasinger - I agree to most of what you say but when you say "If I were Sartraz I'd make peace with India". There are two problems with this (1) What makes you think its Pakistan not willing? We make overtures for a dialogue most of the times but India refuses (just like with cricket). (2) This process can't start on Indian terms alone as this is what you seem to be implying, otherwise it can't be 'bilateral'. So, I am afraid this statement of yours is tainted with a degree of arrogance.
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May 20, 2016 02:08am
living and forcing people to live in fools paradise. New progressive policy needed to tackle lack of progress in all sectors. Same old faces same old claims.
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May 20, 2016 02:10am
@Sudhir Neyalasinger 'Outsource security of Pakistan to India'? This is the most hilarious comment of all. (Good thing I was sitting down on the chair, otherwise may have fallen to floor, laughing my head off). What india did to divide pakistan (separating east pakistan), now what it is doing in Baluchistan, such a rediculous suggestion qualifies for a big laugh. Why not ask india to outsource its security to Pakistan? I am sure if requested, Pakistan will give it a serious consideration.
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May 20, 2016 02:47am
Instead of Anti-Ballistic Missile system free zone, shouldn't they have proposed Ballistic Missile system free zone ?
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May 20, 2016 03:36am
@Sudhir Neyalasinger
Pakistan wants peace with India but it is India who does not resolve outstanding issues like Kashmir. Without the resolution of Kashmir, there will be friendship and peace in this area. Deep down, Americans also do not peace in this area, because they not want lucerarativ armament market of India.
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May 20, 2016 04:00am
Good Luck, Mr. Aziz!
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May 20, 2016 04:04am
Mr.Aziz,maybe I am missing your point,but interceptor and nuclear submarines are defensive tactics as India has renounced 'first use'! So you think India should be a 'sitting duck' while the neighbours arm themselves to the hilt with nuclear toys??
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May 20, 2016 04:16am
Why only Indian Ocean? We want to include South China Sea, Atlantic and Pacific too.
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May 20, 2016 04:21am
How will UN enforce it? How will it stop the P5 nuclear submarines from patrolling any part of the world?
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May 20, 2016 04:51am
Sartaj Aziz seems like a stubborn man who does not know what he is saying. His speeches may be good to stir the emotions of the people of a Pakistan. But it does not affect the international community who don't seem to give it any impotance. He needs to learn to differentiate between local and international fora. And be more logical.
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May 20, 2016 05:27am
It will affect the maritime security of not all the 32 littoral states but only one state around the ocean.
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May 20, 2016 12:09pm
@Chanakya : Can you point out where Indian Ocean separates from Arabian Sea?
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May 20, 2016 12:23pm
@Lucky Star please go and ask UN who will tell the proper information on who ran away from Shimla agrement, the UN has removed Kashmir issue from their list in 2010...
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May 20, 2016 12:25pm
@Lucky Star https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_47 please go through this link and tell us who has backed out from the issue...
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May 20, 2016 04:52pm
@Chanakya Arabian Sea is in the Indian Ocean. Whats wrong with you? By that definition even india has no shore touching indian ocean as it mainly touches the Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and Andaman sea.
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May 20, 2016 09:03pm
A nuclear free Indian Ocean is in benefit of both India and Pakistan.
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May 22, 2016 10:06pm
you know that's not going to happen .you have 5 ocean out of 2 are commonly used Atlantic and pacific ocean.Atlantic used by american and its NATO alliances and Russian have nuclear submarines .then you pacific used by Chinese , Indians, American and the Russian who the patrol the ocean nuclear submarines.if Pakistan thinks they going bar American,Russians,and China.stop India for having nuclear defense system.whats wrong this picture
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