US says it has right to act if India conducts nuclear test

WASHINGTON: The United States has said that it has the right to act in the event of India conducting a nuclear test under the agreement concluded to operationalise the civil nuclear deal between the two countries.

"I think you're all familiar with the provisions in the 123 Agreement. And certainly, that provides the (US) President options in acting, in the event that there is a test," US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters on Friday.

When asked whether the US fears that India may one day continue with its nuclear tests, he said that Washington does not encourage any country to test nuclear device.

"...a variety of officials from the US have said essentially the same thing, and that is that we are not testing and I don't see advanced nuclear countries around the world testing. And certainly, we don't encourage other states to do that," he said.

"But, you know, again, the whole issue, is India is sovereign, but we're not encouraging any states to test at this point," he added.