Probe N Korea-Pak nuclear proliferation link, says India
CALL FOR ACTION Sushma Swaraj deplores North Korea’s latest actions, calls for probe
NEW YORK: India on Tuesday sought investigations into North Korea’s nuclear proliferation linkages and asked to hold accountable those responsible for it, in a veiled reference to Pakistan.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj’s remarks came days after North Korea fired another mid-range ballistic missile over Japan on Friday.
It follows North Korea’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3 which was in direct defiance of United Nations sanctions and other international pressure.
“External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj deplored North Korea’s recent actions and stated that its proliferation linkages must be explored and those involved must be held accountable,” ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters at a news conference in New York.
Swaraj’s assertion in this regard came during her trilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on Monday on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session.
Responding to questions, Kumar did not specify the country, but said the hints were enough to determine that.
“I think I am giving you enough material to try to figure out what we are talking about,” he said.
In addition to proliferation, the three leaders discussed maritime security and connectivity. “Three broad issues were discussed — maritime security connectivity and proliferation. We have spelled out what these heads mean on security the ministers emphasised the need to ensure freedom of navigation respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputes,” he said.