NEW DELHI, July 25 (UPI) -- The Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal isn't designed to start an arms race in the subcontinent, India's foreign minister said Friday.
The deal is a civilian one with no military implications, Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, the Press Trust of India reported.
Pakistan, a nuclear weapons state like India, said in a letter last week to the International Atomic Energy Agency the planned India-specific safeguards agreement over the deal will increase the chances of an arms race in the subcontinent, the report said. The letter also was sent to the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group.
"The deal is a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the international community. Where is the scope for arms race?" Mukherjee was quoted as telling a TV channel.
PTI quoted Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi as saying Friday in London that his country doesn't want to "obstruct" the deal but that it also be considered for such an accord without any "discrimination." His comment came after a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the report said.
PTI reported the United States was seeking to convince Pakistan to be cooperative.
