US, EU ask India, other non-signatories to join NPT

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Nov 4 (PTI) Voicing their commitment to preserving and
strengthening the authority and integrity of NPT, the US and EU have asked
India and other non-signatories to join the treaty, a pact New Delhi
considers discriminatory.

"We are committed to preserving and
strengthening the authority and integrity of the NPT," they said in a joint
declaration at the conclusion of the US-EU 2009 Summit on Tuesday. The
nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), based on its three mutually
reinforcing pillars of non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of
nuclear energy, represents a unique and irreplaceable framework for
maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and stability,
they said. The United States and European Union urged NPT non-
signatories, including India, to accede as non-nuclear weapon states to
achieve universality. India has refused to sign the NPT, maintaining
that the treaty is discriminatory in nature. Expressing support for
entry into force of Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) at an early
date and in the meantime continued observance of moratoria on nuclear tests,
the joint statement sought immediate start of negotiations on a Fissile
Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), including verification provisions, on the
basis of consensus agreement on a programme of work reached in May 2009.
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