Making it clear that India will not support Iran’s nuclear weapon ambitions, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday joined the European Union(EU) in asking Tehran to “re-establish” confidence in the nature of its nuclear programme.
Singh, in some balancing act however, said that Iran as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was entitled to all that is needed to develop its civil nuclear programme for which it must undertake all the obligations.
“We do not support nuclear weapon state emerging in our region. So, there is no question of supporting nuclear weapon ambitions of Iran,” Singh said at joint news conference at the end of the ninth India-EU Summit at this resort town in French riveira.
“Iran is a signatory to the NPT and as a signatory it is entitled to all that is needed to develop civil nuclear energy programme. And as a NPT signatory it must also undertake all the obligationsthat go with it,” he said when asked to comment on Iran’s controverial nuclear programme.
The Iran issue figured at the summit which called on Tehran to take steps to re-establish confidence in the nature of its nuclear programme as required by the IAEA.
A joint communique issued at the end of the summit said India and the EU support the current diplomatic efforts and steps in order to find a satisfacatory solution to the nuclear issue.
“They expressed their serious concern over the Iranian nuclear issue and called on Iran to take steps to re-establish confidence in the nature of its nuclear programme, as required by the IAEA Board of Governors.
“They expressed their support for the current diplomatic efforts and steps in order to find a satisfacatory solution to the nuclear issue,” it said.
India’s stand was explained to Sarkozy and other EU leaders, Singh said.
Speaking in a similar vein, Sarkozy said “we need to deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapons programme”.
India-EU concerned over ‘deterioration’ on Pak-Afghan border
India and the European Union today voiced deep concern over the “continuing deterioration” of the security conditions on a tense Pakistan-Afghanistan border and demanded there should be sustained action to deal with the volatile situation.
A joint communique issued at the end of the ninth India-EU Summit attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Nikolas Sarkozy, in his capacity as chairperson of the rotating presidency, also noted the new commitments of the government of Pakistan to address regional and international concerns.
At a press conference, Sarkozy said Pakistan and Afghanistan would be a matter of discussion during the lunchon hosted in honour of the visiting Prime Minister.
Sarkozy said France wishes to help Pakistan and hoped it fights terrorism with determination.
“If Pakistan deals with the situation in a determined manner, the question of non-Pakistani forces being present does not arise,” Sarkozy said in a reference to the controversial cross-border American strikes on the Taliban positions in Pakistan.
Pakistan has a major stake in global security, Sarkozy said, hoping Pakistan will help create conditions to restore peace in Afghanistan.
Reaffirming their commitment to promoting international peace and security, India and the EU backed efforts to build a democratic and pluralistic society.
Singh and the EU leaders agreed that strengthening Afghan security and military forces would help in the enforcement of the rule of law.
Prime Minister Singh and President Sarkozy condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose.
They also agreed to work actively toward a swift finalistion of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism at the UN.
At the bilateral level, the two sides expressed commitment to continuing their cooperation on counter terrorism and early formalisation of cooperation between Europe and Indian agencies.
The leaders discussed the situation in Myanamr and agreed on the need to strengthen efforts towards national reconciliation and reaffirmed the need for an inclusive dialogue, including with Aung San Suu Kyi and the Myanmar ethnic groups to progress towards democracy.
