India against use of chemical weapons: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday underscored that India is against the use of chemical weapons while dwelling upon the bilateral relationship between Russia and the United Kingdom (UK) which has apparently soured over the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

"India is against the use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, under any circumstances. We hope that this issue is resolved in accordance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention so as to reach evidence based conclusions. India, as all other countries, awaits the outcome of the investigation," MEA's official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

On April 4, British military facility head Gary Aitkenhead claimed to identify the nerve agent as the military-grade Novichok but they had not proved that it was made in Russia.

He also hinted towards the involvement of the state-actors in the manufacturing of the nerve-agent.

According to the British government, Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia were exposed to a military-grade nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury on March 4.

Yulia was able to recover from the attack after being hospitalised for over a week. She also gave her first public statement to media. She expressed her gratitude towards the people of Salisbury to offer emotional support to her and her family.

Skripal has been admitted to the Salisbury district hospital and has now been declared as out of danger.