*MEXICO CITY – **Russia’s response to Pakistan nuclear missiles programmeis likely to irk India.*
*Pakistan has every right to develop its own missile programme provided itcomplies with relevant international obligations, Russian Deputy ForeignMinister Sergey Ryabkov told Sputnik in an interview, commenting onIslamabad’s latest launch.*
On Thursday, Pakistan conducted a successful test launch of Shaheen-IIsurface-to-surface ballistic missile, which is capable of carrying bothconventional and nuclear warheads, according to the Pakistani Armed Forces’spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor.
“Countries that develop their missile programs should act in accordancewith relevant international obligations. We do not see any obstacles forPakistan to develop its missile program,” Ryabkov said.
Read Top Stories
The diplomat recalled that there were certain export control regimes andother obligations as part of international treaties.
“We are against measures that could lead to an escalation of the situation,including in such a sensitive region as South Asia, but in this case webelieve that every state has a sovereign right to take care of its ownsecurity,” he added.
