Punish those behind N Korea N-proliferation, says Sitharaman

NEW DELHI: I ndia on Tuesday called for a probe into North Korea's nuclear and missile proliferation linkages and demanded that those responsible for it be held accountable, a veiled reference to the role played by Pakistan and China in the clandestine nexus.

"The nuclear and missile tests conducted by DPRK, in violation of its international commitments, have triggered serious concern," said defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking at the 4th Asean defence ministers' meeting at Manila.

"India has deplored these tests. We remain concerned about the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies, which has adversely impacted India's national security and that of the entire region. It is important that DPRK's proliferation linkages are investigated and those who have supported its nuclear and missile programmes are held accountable," she added.

A s earlier reported by TOI, the Indian security establishment remains concerned over the continuing clandestine quid pro quo between Pakistan and North Korea in terms of nuclear and missile proliferation, in which China has played a pivotal role in the past. Pakistan had secretly supplied North Korea with nuclear enrichment technology when A Q Khan headed the country's nuclear programme, while the latter reciprocated with ballistic missile designs .

Earlier, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had also raised India's concerns over North Korea's nuclear proliferation and demanded that those responsible for it be held accountable.