India seeks strong action on Pak-North Korea nuke links at UN

In an apparent dig at Pakistan -North Korea nuclear links, India said it remains concerned about proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies, which has adversely impacted its national security and called on the international community to strongly act on those responsible for clandestine nuclear proliferation linkages.

"The international community should take a united stand against those who indulge in or benefit from clandestine (nuclear) proliferation linkages," Amandeep Singh Gill, Permanent Representative of India to the Conference on Disarmament, told the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

Ruling out the possibility of joining the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear weapon state, India said it remains "committed" to a unilateral voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing.

"The question of India joining the NPT as NNWS (non- nuclear weapon states) does not arise as in the past, India remains ready to work with the signatories to the treaty for progress in multilateral forums on the shared goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons," Gill added.

Expressing concern over the pace with which the North Korea is advancing on missile and nuclear technologies in violation of its international commitments, India called upon North Korea to refrain from such actions which adversely impact peace and stability in the region.

Gill said that as a responsible nuclear power, India has a policy of credible minimum deterrence based on a 'No-First-Use' posture and non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states.

Acknowledging that India did not participate in the negotiations for the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Gill said, "as a result, New Delhi cannot be a party to the treaty, and will not be bound by any of the obligations that may arise from it."

Despite being a non-party, India abides by the principles and objectives of the NPT, including its nuclear disarmament aspirations, he said, adding that India is committed to making its contribution to strengthening non-proliferation.

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