‘All weather’ friends Pak, China fail on nuclear deal

China and Pakistan today signed eight agreements, including a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), to boost their ‘‘all weather&#14...

China and Pakistan today signed eight agreements, including a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), to boost their ‘‘all weather’’ ties but contrary to media speculation, failed to strike a deal on the multi-million dollar Chinese assistance for the second phase of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant.

The planned agreement on Chinese assistance in the construction of a 300 megawatt nuclear power plant was not among the eight agreements signed here by the two sides after Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his visiting Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf here at the Great Hall of The People.

Pak not perturbed by Sino-Indian relations

BEIJING: Welcoming as ‘‘positive’’ the recent thaw in Sino-Indian relations, Pakistan on Monday said it was not perturbed by this development and emerging new equation in Asia, Foreign Minister Khursheed Mahmud Kasuri told BBC.

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‘‘We don’t worry at all. The best test of that is not what you say or I say but what the Chinese say,’’ Kasuri said ahead of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s meetings with the new Chinese leadership. ‘‘The Chinese say our relationship is one of a kind, so why should we be worried?’’ he quipped. ‘‘China is a very close friend of Pakistan,’’ he said referring to the rock-solid ‘‘all weather’’ ties enjoyed between the two close allies. (PTI)

Diplomatic sources said that the two sides could not conclude a deal on the nuclear project and that negotiations were continuing. Pakistani media earlier reported that the nuclear deal was likely to be signed during Musharraf’s three-day state visit to China.

China agreed to go ahead with the second phase of the $700 million Chashma plant during a visit by Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafrullah Jamali in March. The plant would have been the second nuclear power project in Pakistan built with Chinese help.

Among the agreements inked by the two sides include one on preferential tariffs to boost bilateral trade, an extradition treaty, Pakistani mango exports to China, a $4 million credit line to enhance Chinese investments in Pakistan as well as an agreement on Pakistan opening a consulate in Shanghai, China’s business hub.

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Hu and Musharraf talked about for 90 minutes. The Chinese president restated Beijing’s hope that Pakistan and India would resolve their differences through dialogue.

Sources said China and Pakistan has also signed a joint declaration, which may be issued prior to Musharraf’s departure to Seoul, South Korea on November five.

Sources said Hu and Musharraf reviewed the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, the growing influence of US in Pakistan as well as the US-led global anti-terror drive.

Today was Musharraf’s third day in China. He had arrived in the south Chinese island province of Hainan to attend the second annual meeting of the Boao forum for Asia which concluded today in Boao City. Musharraf will tomorrow meet with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.

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The PTA signed today gives each side enhanced access to the other’s market and boost bilateral trade which last year amounted to $1.8 billion, much less than the $4.9 billion between India and China. (PTI)