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China makes more missile-related sales to Pakistan: CIA

China has made more missile-related sales and has also given nuclear aid to Pakistan despite firm assurances to the US that it will stop such sales and aid, America's Central Intelligence Agency said.

In its latest semi-annual report to Congress, the CIA said: "Chinese missile-related technical assistance to Pakistan increased during this reporting period."

The report has been withheld from the public but The Washington Times newspaper said it had managed to obtain a copy.

"It appears that contrary to the Chinese pledge," the report said, "aid to Pakistan's nuclear programme continued. China's involvement with Pakistan will be monitored closely."

It said such assistance is critical for Islamabad's efforts to produce ballistic missiles.

Pakistan also acquired nuclear weapons-related goods, primarily from western Europe, while it purchased advanced fighters and anti-ship missiles from China last year.

About India, the intelligence agency said New Delhi's nuclear weapons programme benefited from Russian and western European assistance and the country was working towards developing more sophisticated nuclear arms.

Russia and India, it said, were discussing the leasing of several long-range bomber aircraft that will provide the Indian defence forces a longer-range strike capability.

The report also said that China continued to supply nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and missile goods to north Korea, Libya and Iran.

PTI

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