VIENNA, July 23: Pakistan has warned that a deal leading to increased Indian access to nuclear fuel could accelerate the atomic arms race in the subcontinent, according to a letter obtained on Wednesday by The Associated Press.

The letter addressed to more than 60 nations comes less than two weeks before the 35-nation International Atomic Energy Agency board is expected to approve a so-called safeguards agreement setting up rules for inspecting some of India’s civilian nuclear facilities.

Approval of the safeguards deal is key to India’s efforts to gain access to legal imports of nuclear fuel and technology from a 45-nation consortium known as the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Islamabad warns in the letter dated July 18 and addressed to members of the IAEA board and Nuclear Suppliers Group that the safeguards agreement would hurt non-proliferation efforts and “threatens to increase the chances of a nuclear arms race in the subcontinent.”—AP