Shamshad Ahmad Khan replies: There is no problem if India enters into any strategic agreement with these countries. In fact India has signed various “strategic partnership agreements” with major democracies of the world including the US, Japan and Australia. However, these agreements are bilateral and not multilateral.
Forging a multilateral security arrangement or pact is not on the agenda of Indian policy planners as they think that the countries outside this regional security arrangement might feel that such an arrangement may be aimed against them. This may lead to a security dilemma and will have negative implications for the regional security scenario.
Australia’s Uranium Export to India and Pakistan’s Claim
Concerned about Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programmes, Australia has blocked the shipment of dual-use equipment to Pakistan on at least three occasions during the past two years.