India deeply concerned over North Korean nuclear test

Reacting strongly to reports of North Korea conducting a nuclear test, India today said it was a matter of "deep concern" and stressed its worry over proliferation links between North East Asia and its neighbourhood, an apparent reference to Pakistan.

India also called upon Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to refrain from such actions which adversely impact peace and stability in the region.

"We have seen reports that DPRK has conducted a nuclear test today. We are assessing the available information, including claims that this was a thermonuclear test.

"It is a matter of deep concern that DPRK has again acted in violation of its international commitments in this regard. We call upon DPRK to refrain from such actions which adversely impact on peace and stability in the region. Our concerns about proliferation links between North East Asia and our neighbourhood are well-known," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

According to reports, North Korea obtained "many of the designs for gas centrifuges and much of the machinery" required to make highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons from Pakistan, which in return got ballistic-missile parts from North Korea.

Earlier today, North Korea said it had carried out a "successful" hydrogen bomb test, a claim that -- if true -- massively raises the stakes over its banned nuclear programme.

"The republic's first hydrogen bomb test has been successfully performed at 10:00AM (0330 GMT)," North Korean state television announced.

The development was immediately criticised by all major countries including the US, China and Japan apart from international bodies such as European Union and the UN.