"We are nuclear power, will remain so, and further develop our assets in this regard," said Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri at a meet-the-press at State Guest House here on Sunday, dispelling doubts on roll-back of country's nuclear assets.
The Minister, recalling that US had asked for 'yes' for becoming 'non-Nato ally' said that "our brotherly and strong relations with China would not be affected by the development".
China, keeping in view the past cordiality, sincerity and strength of relations, did not even bother to ask a single question on this subject, he added.
About Russian objection to inclusion of certain states in Nato and with good work done by President Pervez Musharraf in making a breakthrough in relations with Russia, he said that relations with Russia would not be affected by this.
He had that he had just returned from Berlin after attending a 62-country meeting on Afghanistan. He said that any major development in Afghanistan affects Pakistan in many ways.
Referring to the burden of four million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he said that peace in the bordering country was vital for the region.
About Pak-Iran relations, he said that these are historical, solid and based on solid ground. "Development of ventures between the two countries are going on unabated," he added.
Saying that Pakistan's foreign policy in recent times has been proactive he stated that due to this the fall-out of A Q. Khan's affair had been contained.
"This reflects growing appreciation for the action that the Government of Pakistan has taken in this regard and also a realisation that Pakistan has a responsible government. This has enhanced Pakistan's stature internationally," he added.
The Foreign Minister, rejecting opposition's notion of weaker foreign policy, said that the visit of seven foreign ministers to Pakistan in recent past belied the fact.
"During the visits of these foreign ministers, Pakistan's role in war against terrorism, reconstruction of Afghanistan and the way Pakistan has addressed the question of non-proliferation has been highlighted," he added.
Stating that his visit to Germany and Poland, where he became first Pakistani Foreign Minister to visit the latter, was a major success in foreign affairs of the country. He said that Poland gave special attention to forging relations with European Union.
He said that cementing ties in South East Asian region was his another top priority.
For further building up strong relations with the 25-member European Union, he said that European Commissioner Chris Patten in this regard had acknowledged "our endeavour in a recent article."
Talking of US Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to Pakistan on March 18, he said that comprehensive discussions were held on a wide range of issues relating to Pakistan-US bilateral relations, regional situation with regard to Afghanistan and Indo-Pak relations. Views were also exchanged on transfer of power to interim government in Iraq.
He said that Secretary of State Powell expressed support of the US Government to the revival of composite dialogue between Pakistan and India to address all issues, and assured the Pakistan leadership that US would continue its engagements to encourage the peace dialogue.
On recent political developments with India, he stated that "our intention for building good relations between the two neighbourly countries were done with honesty of purpose and good and clean intentions, and no games whatsoever were being played by us in this regard".
On state of affairs in relations between India and Pakistan, if a new government is elected in India, he said that he would not indulge in a comment on that as it was internal matter of that country. However, as far as Congress was concerned its leadership had given OK to the process of normalisation taken up by the Vajpayee government, he added.
Khurshid, on future Indo-Pakistan relations said that both governments remain committed to peace process and are capable of taking initiatives to resolve the outstanding issues. "A roadmap in this regard has been agreed to at the Foreign Secretaries level. A series of meetings are expected to be held including a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in August 2004," he added.
Talking about relations with Islamic countries, Khurshid said that it was a matter of satisfaction that ties with Middle East region have a historical, cultural, economic and strategic basis.
They are nourished by mutual trust and confidence. "In recent months, President's visit to Saudi Arabia, my visit to Qatar and visit of Deputy Prime Minister of UAE are indicative of our engagement with our Muslim brethren," he added.
Stating that "our destiny is linked with GCC countries" he averred that Foreign Secretary Riaz H. Khokhar was visiting Asean countries and the Prime Minister is expected to visit these countries in the last week of April. Khurshid said that he would begin his visit of China on Monday.