Nuclear terrorism a formidable challenge, says Indian PM

(September 29, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Maintaining that the spectre of nuclear terrorism was a formidable challenge, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday supported strengthening of global efforts in improving nuclear security and welcomed President Barack Obama's initiative to hold a summit on nuclear security next year.

India, he said, has an updated, effective and comprehensive export controls system and is "committed to not transferring sensitive technologies and equipment to other countries that do not possess them".

Holding that India has been sponsoring a resolution at the UN General Assembly calling for measures to address the nuclear terrorism threat, he said, "We support strengthening the international efforts in improving nuclear security and in this context, welcome President Obama's timely initiative to hold a global summit on nuclear security in 2010."

Inaugurating the International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, he said, "India is proud of non-proliferation record and is committed to global efforts for preventing the proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction.

"We are committed to a voluntary, unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing. As a nuclear weapon state and a responsible member of the international community, we will participate constructively in the negotiation of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) in the Conference on Disarmament," he said.

The prime minister said global non-proliferation regime has not succeeded in preventing nuclear proliferation and its deficiencies have had an adverse impact on India's security.

-Sri Lanka Guardian