(12 May 1998) English/Nat
The day after India conducted three surprise nuclear tests, the prime minister of archrival Pakistan said he would take "appropriate action" in response.
Nawaz Sharif refused to say whether Pakistan planned to carry out a test in response.
But he joined a chorus of nations, including the U-S, Russia and China, in condemning the Indian tests.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to the Pakistani capital, facing the grim decision of how to respond to India's trio of nuclear tests conducted a day earlier.
Sharif, who had been in Kazakstan for a summit of regional leaders, refused to say whether Pakistan would conduct its own test in response.
But he insisted that the Islamic nation of 140 (m) million people would make its security concerns a top priority.
Sharif said Pakistan - as an independent nation - had "every right" to make its own decisions.
The United States has urged Pakistan to show restraint.
There are widespread fears that the Indian tests will spark a nuclear arms race on the subcontinent.
The hostile neighbours have fought three wars since the subcontinent was divided by departing British colonialists in 1947.
There are fears a fourth confrontation could be nuclear.
Pakistan is widely believed to have nuclear weapons capability, though it has denied it in the past.
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20 июл 2015
