PM warns against terrorists acquiring n-weapons

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manomohan Singh on Monday underlined the "growing risks" of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons and urged all countries to work for universal nuclear disarmament in a timebound manner.

Referring to the relevance of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's peace plan presented to the UN general assembly in 1988, Singh stressed the need for "global, universal and non-discriminatory" nuclear disarmament while inaugurating a two-day global conference here.

"Rajiv Gandhi believed that disarmament, in particular nuclear disarmament, was essential to usher in a safe and non-violent world. At the heart of the action plan was a commitment to eliminate all nuclear weapons in three stages by 2010," the prime minister said.

"India is ready to add its own weight and voice to the global debate on nuclear disarmament with a view to crafting a consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation," Singh added.

"We need a collective approach anchored in a universal partnership that is supported by non-governmental communities and public opinion."

The conference, organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a non-government think tank, is being attended by disarmament experts and former diplomats from India, the US, China, Russia, Australia and Canada.