Japan wants India to sign CTBT; PM puts onus on US, China

New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI) Resisting Japan's push for
signing Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), India Tuesday
made it clear that the onus of taking the lead in this regard
lies with the US and China which are yet to ratify the pact.

After his talks with Japanese counterpart Yukio Hatoyama
here during which non-proliferation and civil nuclear issues
were discussed, Indian Prime Minister Minister Manmohan Singh
said India was "deeply interested" in working with Japan and
other "like-minded" countries for "the cause of universal,
verifiable and non-discriminatory disarmament."
Japan, however, promised to relax curbs on hi-tech trade
as the two countries sought to impart greater depth to their
ties by unveiling an action plan covering defence and
counter-terrorism exchanges and vowing to step up trade.
At a joint press conference with Singh after the talks,
Hatoyama said the two countries have "differences" over the
issue of CTBT and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Noting that he had discussed the issue with Singh, he
said, "I expressed the hope that along with the US and China,
India will sign and ratify the (CTBT) treaty.
"In response, Prime Minister Singh said should the US and
China ratify the CTBT, a new situation will emerge. I believe
he has stated it as a matter of fact," Hatoyama said, adding
"We firmly have to engage in these endeavours."
On his part, Singh referred to India's
"unilaterally-declared moratorium" on nuclear tests and said
"that is a commitment we will honour." He also underlined
India's "impeccable record" with regard to non-proliferation.
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