Pakistan's main nuclear command body Wednesday expressed concerns above a nuclear deal between the United States and India and observed that the agreement would enable India to produce significant quantities of fissile material and nuclear weapons from unsafeguarded nuclear reactors.

U.S. President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced in New Delhi last month that they had reached an agreement regarding a "historic" nuclear pact, which would power India's nuclear civilian energy, while allowing it to keep nuclear weapons.

The meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA) deliberated on the U.S.-India Nuclear Agreement and noted with concern the implications of the agreement which would effect strategic stability in South Asia, a statement from the military's Inter- Services Public Relations said.

"In view of the fact that the agreement would enable India to produce significant quantities of fissile material and nuclear weapons from unsafeguarded nuclear reactors, the NCA expressed firm resolve that our credible minimum deterrence requirements would be met," it said.

The NCA noted with satisfaction the expanded Pak-US framework of cooperation in diverse fields and deeper strategic relationship agreed during Bush's visit and directed that following action of its consolidation should be expedited, the statement said.

The NCA stressed that the energy needs of Pakistan, which include nuclear power generation, required international cooperation.

This energy was required to meet Pakistan's growing development needs and address environmental concerns, it said.

It added that Pakistan was determined to pursue this legitimate requirement under IAEA safeguards with the members of nuclear suppliers group including the Unites States.

The meeting was held to review matters related to the strategic planning and expressed satisfaction at the current state of Pakistan's strategic deterrence.

Source: Xinhua