Washington, May 29 (UNI) The United States has strongly backed India’s nuclear energy programme and the country’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG), while maintaining a stoic silence on whether it also endorsed Pakistan’s nuclear programme. At his regular press briefing yesterday, White House Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner disagreed with a journalist from a Pakistani TV channel that India’s nuclear programme could trigger an arms race.’ ’This is about the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and so we certainly hope that Pakistan understand that.’’ Mr Toner recalled that President Barack Obama during his visit to India in January last year did affirm the US view that India met missile technology control regime requirements and was ready for membership of the NSG. In response to a question, he said deliberations about the prospects of new members joining the NSG were an internal matter among current members of the grouping. ‘’It’s a consensus body and one would have to wait and see how the vote goes’’. Pakistan, Mr Toner acknowledged, also wanted to be a member of the NSG. ‘’…any country can submit its application for membership. And we’ll consider based on a consensus decision.’’ UNI XC AT