Washington, Sep 5 (IANS): The US has welcomed Pakistan's pledge to protect its nuclear arsenal.

“The US is confident that the government of Pakistan is well aware of its responsibilities and has secured its nuclear arsenal accordingly,” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said Wednesday.

“While there is room for improvement in the security of any country’s nuclear programmes, Pakistan has a professional and dedicated security force that fully understands the importance of nuclear security,” she said.

The State Department's comments came after Islamabad said it was aware of its responsibilities vis-a-vis its nuclear arsenal.

The Pakistani assurance following a report that the US was worried that Islamist extremists could seize components of Pakistan's nuclear stockpile or trigger a war with India.

The Washington Post had reported that the US had ramped up surveillance of Pakistan's nuclear arms.

The State Department said the US recognised the fact that Pakistan was fully engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues.

“Pakistan is a state party to both Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological Weapons Convention and is a partner in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism,” it said.

“We have regular discussions with the government of Pakistan on a range of issues on important shared interests, including nuclear security, counterterrorism and fostering a stable Afghanistan," she said.

"We will continue to work together to find ways to cooperate to make Pakistan and the region more secure, stable and prosperous."