Darth Vader
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Australia's armed forces have expressed concern over the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal in its recent report.
The Department of Defence Australia recently issued a Defence White Paper 2013 on May 3 which was released by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith. It highlights notable reviews on, and policies towards, military and strategic developments that are of interest to the country's security interests. In particular, it includes major reforms to policies outlined in the 2009 paper that was released by former PM Kevin Rudd.
While focusing on South Asia, the Australian military highlights that it has a vast amount of strategic interest in South Asia, in particular India and Pakistan since the traditional rivalry that exists between both these countries has long seen the push towards a nuclear arms race.
"Australia’s key strategic interests in South Asia are counter-terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation and the maintenance of peace between India and Pakistan", it is mentioned in clause 2.58 of the paper's Chapter Two titled 'Strategic Outlook'.
In clause 2.61, the defence forces of Australia express "important strategic interests" in the security of Pakistan. Citing allegations of Pakistan being a safe haven for global terrorists, the paper states, "growing radicalisation poses potential threats to the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons".
Furthermore, the Defence White Paper claims that a large-scale India-Pakistan conflict "cannot be ruled out", adding that events such as the Mumbai attacks could trigger mass conflict between both the nuclear-armed states.
To be noted that last year, former Australian PM Rudd had made similar remarks during his keynote address at the Singapore Global Dialogue: "With India and Pakistan - the world lives in continuing anxiety as to the consequences of any future Islamist terrorist attacks on the subcontinent".
In light of these and various other developments, the Australian armed forces have vowed to provide relevant counter-insurgency training to the Pakistani military. Chapter Six 'Australia's International Defence Engagement' mentions this commitment:
6.69 Pakistan is an important partner for Australia’s international counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts. Pakistan’s stability, capacity and commitment to combating violent extremism are critical for regional and global security, as well as success in Afghanistan. Australia will continue to provide training to develop counter-insurgency related skills in the Pakistan military, and to help build that organisation’s professionalism and management capacity.
