Qingdao, (East China): While stressing that there was a "great degree of understanding" between India and Pakistan on the nuclear issue, Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri today (June 22, 2004) said the international community must accept both as nuclear powers.

"On the nuclear issue, there is a great degree of understanding between our two countries. Pakistan and India are mature and responsible nuclear powers," Kasuri, who is attending the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting in this East Chinese port city, told in an interview.

The third ACD meeting is being attended by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and Foreign Ministers from 22 other countries.

"Though unfortunately we had wars between our countries, we have not violated human rights, we are not violated Geneva conventions regarding prisoners, we have not attacked each other's dams or civilian targets," he said.

"I don't think anybody is in a position to say or adopt a holier than thou attitude towards Pakistan and India," Kasuri said.

"I think that we are responsible countries and we are nuclear powers and some efforts have to be found to accept this reality," Kasuri said, days after senior officials from both countries met in New Delhi and adopted a series of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to prevent an accidental nuclear mishap.

His comments came close on the heels of the two countries taking a slew of measures to avoid misunderstanding and to continue moratorium on conducting further nuclear tests.

Commenting on his talks with Singh yesterday (June 21, 2004) at a 'working lunch' hosted by his Indian counterpart, Kasuri said, "It was very positive and warm meeting. It was a very tasty lunch that he offered me. It was Chinese but had a lot of mirch masala, suited to our pallets."

Kasuri said when the Congress-led Government assumed power in New Delhi, there were a number of skeptics in his country who thought the India-Pakistan peace process may be abandoned.

"There was a feeling in Pakistan that may be the new Government (in India) may not own that process," he said.

"I was greatly encouraged by the meeting with Natwar Singh. Earlier he told me on the telephone that he was wedded to the peace process with Pakistan and India and that the congress-led Government will carry the process even further," he said.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister said that Singh reiterated his statement during the meeting.

"I have no reason to disbelieve what he said today. That is the right spirit and I am encouraged by this approach," Kasuri said.

Kasuri also pointed out to another positive development in Indo-Pak relations after the Manmohan Singh Government assumed office-the issue of the pipeline.

"The new Government in India openly through the media announced that it is prepared for the pipeline provided Pakistan offered guarantees of security. Of course we are prepared to offer securities of guarantee.

"The good thing about the pipeline is that once it starts, very strong peace lobbies will develop in Pakistan and India who will have a stake in the peace process. So, this needs to be encouraged," he said.

"I must say that the new Government, without taking much time, has already made the announcement. That is a very positive development. I, therefore, hope that what the Foreign Minister of India is saying, he means what he says because he is matching with actions," Kasuri added.