Nuclear summit in US to hold session on countering IS attacks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to attend the summit

In the aftermath of the horrific terror attacks in Brussels, world leaders at a special session during the Nuclear Security Summit next week will discuss threats posed by groups such as IS to urban areas across the globe and seek solutions to counter such assaults.

"Next week, dozens of world leaders will come here to Washington for a summit focused on nuclear security. We’ll use that opportunity to also review our joint efforts against ISIL and to make sure the world remains united in this effort to protect our people," US President Barack Obama said in his weekly radio and web address to the nation today.

Top world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to attend the fourth such summit meeting — an initiative of Obama.

The two-day summit on March 31 and April 1 will convene delegations from more than 50 nations that will continue discussion on the evolving threat and highlight steps that can be taken together to minimise the use of highly-enriched uranium, secure vulnerable materials, counter nuclear smuggling and deter, detect, and disrupt attempts at nuclear terrorism, the White House said yesterday.

In addition, this year's summit includes a special session that will focus world leaders on the threat of groups like the Islamic State attacking urban areas across the globe.

"The United States seeks a strengthened global nuclear security architecture that is comprehensive, is based on international standards, builds confidence in nations' nuclear security implementation and results in declining global stocks of nuclear weapons-usable materials," the White House said.

2016 will be the last Nuclear Security Summit in its current format.

The summit will be held days after terror attacks in airport and metro station at Brussels that left 31 people dead and 300 injured.

There are twin goals for the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit — advancing tangible improvements in nuclear security behaviour and strengthening the global nuclear security architecture.