Wednesday, January 19 2005 17:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The United States has a contingency plan to prevent Pakistan's nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of radical Islamists.

This was disclosed by Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday (Jan 18, 2005).

Replying to a question, Rice said the US has a contingency plan to prevent Pakistani nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of Islamic fundamentalists if they manage to come to power.

Asked whether the US has devised any "fail safe" method to ensure that if something were to happen to President Pervez Musharraf the Pakistani nuclear weapons would not fall into the hands of a radical Islamic State, she said, "We are prepared to try to deal with it. I would prefer not to talk about this particular issue in an open session".

Pressed on the issue by former Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry, she said, "We are very aware of the problem. In fact, we have had some discussions on it. I prefer not to (discuss it in open session)."

In her opening statement, she spoke about US expanding ties with India.

"The United States is cooperating with India, the world's largest democracy, across a range of economic and security issues. This, even as we embrace Pakistan as a vital ally in the war on terror, and a state in transition towards a more moderate and democratic future."