India, Germany discuss issues on universal disarmament

New Delhi, July 8 (PTI) India and Germany on Wednesday
discussed issues related to universal disarmament and nuclear
non-proliferation as a top German official in the field met
Deputy National Security Adviser Shekhar Dutt here.

Germany's Commissioner for Disarmament and Arms
Control Peter Gottwald, who is on a two-day visit to India
from on Wednesday, will also hold talks with his counterpart,
Special Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Vivek Katju
on Thursday.

Dutt and Gottwald are believed to have discussed
disarmament against the backdrop of concerns over North
Korea's recent nuclear tests and missile tests.

India is a votary of universal disarmament but wants
it to be equal and fair.

Germany pursues a balanced approach aimed at both
enhancing and developing the three pillars of the
Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), nuclear disarmament and the
peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Germany is an advocate of universalisation and
strengthening of existing multilateral treaties and regimes
governing non-proliferation and disarmament.

The main focus for the German government in the areas
of disarmament and arms control for 2009 are enforcement of
the UN Security Council resolutions on Iran, enforcement of
the Security Council resolutions on North Korea and
preparation for the NPT Review Conference to be held in May
2010. PTI AKK
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