BANGKOK, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The new security pact among the United States, Britain and Australia, known as AUKUS, would fuel tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and risk undermining regional stability and peace, former Thai Deputy Prime Minster Pinit Jarusombat has said.
The pact will intensify an arms race in the region, adding to the financial burdens of regional countries and impairing international nuclear non-proliferation efforts, which runs counter to those countries' wishes, Pinit said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.
The AUKUS pact, announced earlier this month, has triggered widespread concerns and criticism. The three countries announced that the first initiative under AUKUS is to deliver nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
Reducing the use of nuclear weapons has been the international trend, while the AUKUS deal, involving the development of nuclear-powered submarines, would catalyze tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and fuel a mentality of confrontation, with ASEAN countries to be heavily affected in particular, said the former official.
Coming at a time when the region is grappling with COVID-19 fueled by the Delta variant, Pinit noted the trilateral agreement also goes against the region's aspiration for closer cooperation and peaceful development.
The international community has opposed the United States' double standards on the issue of nuclear exports, he said, adding that the move will undermine global non-proliferation efforts.
Pinit said major countries should enhance communication and cooperation, and better manage and resolve disputes and differences to contribute to the peace, stability and development of the region. Enditem
