Nuclear deal likely with China during Zardari's visit

Pakistan and China have 'developed an understanding to enhance nuclear co-operation' sources in Xinhua, Chinese news agency, confirmed to this scribe. It is expected that a deal will be signed during the scheduled visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to China on the 17 of this month.
This will be Zardari's first foreign visit after taking oath as President of the country. Pakistan's growing nuclear energy needs are becoming an important incentive for China to act as a global player in the nuclear power industry, sources added. China has already completed a 300 MW nuclear power plant in Chashma, and is setting up another one there.
There is also an understanding that Beijing will sign a deal with Pakistan to build six nuclear power plants with an installed capacity of 300 MW each, sources added. Analysts see Sino-Pak understanding in light of Indo-US deal on civilian nuclear co-operation not going through, as nuclear supplier group will not support this deal.
The conviction is based on Pakistan non-proliferation record, which will be a roadblock in signing the deal and mustering support of nuclear supply group or International Atomic Energy Agency. They believe that the statement by the US and India is considered to be in the wake of Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari's proposed visit to China next week to negotiate a similar deal as the one signed by the US and India.
Pakistan is already in touch with China for the nuclear deal to meet its energy shortage and talks would start during Zardari's visit, an official said on condition of anonymity. Under the proposed deal, China will supply nuclear material to Pakistan to meet its energy needs. Describing the United States' nuclear pact with India a "bad idea from the start," an influential US newspaper on Tuesday urged Congress to resist the Bush administration pressure to quickly sign the deal.
"Congress should resist that pressure," The New York Times said in an editorial as the Bush administration faces the final hurdle in the implementation of the landmark agreement with India - convincing lawmakers that the deal has adequate safeguards as prescribed by the US law.
When India and the US surprised the world with nuclear pact in 2005, Pakistan and China had no problem seeing its political significance by willing to change the US law only in favour of India. Bush administration is signalling that it no longer treats Pakistan and India on level playing field.