India a stakeholder in Korean peace process: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India is one of the stakeholders in the ongoing peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

In a joint address to the media following delegation-level talks with visiting South Korean President Moon Jae-in here, Modi, in what can be seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan, said that "the proliferation links between Northeast Asia and South Asia is a cause of concern for India".

"That is why India is one of the stakeholders in the success of the peace process," he said.

Pakistan is known to have helped North Korea in its nuclear programme, a cause for global concern.

Later, briefing the media, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, said: "It is well known that only one country is pushing for it (nuclear proliferation).

"India has played an important role (in the Korean peace process) and has maintained good ties with both DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea or North Korea) and RoK (Republic of Korea or South Korea)," Saran said.

"We accept that if we can help (in the peace process), we will be happy to do it."

Saran also said that Moon briefed Modi on his two meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

In his address, Modi lauded President Moon for his role in the Korean peace process.

"Full credit goes to President Moon for giving momentum to the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, keeping this on track and making progress," he said.

"I believe that the current positive atmosphere is because of the indefatigable efforts of President Moon. I congratulate him for this."

--IANS

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