US asks India, Pakistan to sign, ratify CTBT

Encouraging India and Pakistan to engage in talks and exercise restraint for improving strategic stability, the US has asked the two countries to sign and ratify Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner welcomed Pakistan's recent proposal to India for a bilateral agreement for not conducting a nuclear testing of atomic weapons.

"We welcome this high-level dialogue between India and Pakistan, encourage both countries to engage in the dialogue and exercise restraint aimed at improving strategic stability. I think this proposal is something we would leave to India's consideration," he at his daily news conference yesterday.

"It remains in our view that the most practical way to achieve a legally binding commitment on nuclear explosive testing would be for both states to sign and ratify the CTBT," Toner said.

Pakistan on August 12 said that it was ready for an agreement with India on a bilateral moratorium on nuclear non-testing.