WASHINGTON, July 31: The US State Department has said that Washington’s decision to sign a nuclear deal with India and not with Pakistan is a ‘clear recognition’ of the ‘real difference’ between the two countries.

A State Department spokesman, Tom Casey, told a briefing in Washington that because of the issues with proliferation from Pakistan, “it’s a very different situation between those two countries.”

In a similar briefing on Friday, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns had also referred to this difference, indicating that the activities of the Khan network of nuclear proliferators had marred Pakistan’s record and that’s why it was not possible for Washington to offer a deal to Islamabad.

For America, Mr Casey said, relations with India and Pakistan were both important but because of the issues with proliferation from Pakistan, it’s a very different situation between the two countries.

“And the fact that we have this agreement with India now is a clear recognition that there is a real difference,” he added.

The State Department official emphasised that India had been “a responsible actor” and although it's been outside the nonproliferation regimes, it's actually behaved responsibly.

“India has not proliferated weapons technology; it hasn't done anything to undermine international assurances. And we want to be able to bring India into the mainstream here.”

America’s relationship with Pakistan, Mr Casey added, was also important, “particularly with respect to what is our number one national priority, which is working around the world to combat the threat of terrorism posed by Al Qaeda and other extremist groups. And we’re going to continue with that.”

The State Department official said: “The United States also wants to see that there be dialogue between India and Pakistan, dialogue that has expanded and has grown under the leadership of President Musharraf and others.”

“So you know, this is not something that should be viewed as somehow an action that we take with India that somehow requires a similar action in the case of Pakistan.”