India has got the firm backing of the US as well as Switzerland for the Nuclear Suppliers Group Membership. (File photo: India's nuclear capable Agni 3 missile)
Pakistan asks member states of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to be "objective and non-discriminatory" while deciding on expansion, just as India gets Swiz and US support for admission in the 48-nation group which trades nuclear technology.
Islamabad has also stepped up diplomatic efforts to raise support for its inclusion in the elite 48-nation bloc.
The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement that Additional Foreign Secretary (UN and Economic Coordination) Tasnim Aslam held a briefing session for the NSG countries' diplomatic missions in Islamabd ahead of NSG plenary session this month in Vienna.
It said that the briefing was part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts for mobilising support for Pakistan's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
"The Additional Secretary highlighted the factors which placed Pakistan's application for NSG membership on solid grounds, including Pakistan's technical experience, capability and well-established commitment to non-proliferation and nuclear safety and security," it said.
The statement said "a large number of ambassadors and other senior level representatives" were present at the briefing without giving an exact number.
The meeting is seen as part of Pakistan's efforts to stop India from gaining membership of the group after the US reiterated its support during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington.
Earlier, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, told the Senate yesterday that Pakistan was making efforts for "non-discriminatory approach" for NSG membership and these efforts would pay off.
Pakistan reportedly has support of China which has assured that it would not support India's membership until Pakistan was also given the same treatment.
Pakistan had formally applied for the NSG membership last month.