Pak’s participation in nuclear security summit legitimises its nuke programme: Gilani - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Describing his Washington visit as ‘successful’, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Islamabad’s participation in the just concluded two-day nuclear security summit has ‘boosted the legitimacy of the country’s nuclear programme.’ Interacting with media persons after the concluding session of the important summit, Gilani said the international community’s concerns over the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear establishments were ‘effectively quashed’ during the conference, which was attended by leaders of 47 countries. “Pakistan’s participation in the summit itself brings a higher degree of legitimacy to our nuclear programme. Our nuclear programme is in safe hands, and President Obama is totally convinced that our command-and-control system is undoubtedly effective,” The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying. Commenting on Islamabad’s efforts to curb militancy, and its thorny relations with New Delhi, Gilani said: “Our friends realise that Pakistan is working in the interest of global peace and security, and want to see improvement in Indo-Pak relations.” Later, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and influential Senator John Kerry called on Gilani separately before he took the flight back home. According to sources, Clinton told Gilani that she might visit Pakistan in July rather than her previous plans of touring the country in October. Kerry assured Gilani of the US congressional leadership’s support in providing Pakistan greater access to American markets, and meeting its defence requirements.