(Correcting word in para 1, line 3)

New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) may impose sanctions against Iran within ten days for violating peaceful nuclear principles despite being ''inside'' the non-proliferation regime.

US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns, said at a press conference here today that they (Washington) were trying very hard to persuade North Korea and Iran to give up their Nuclear weapons programme.

''In the next ten days, the UNSC may put sanctions on Iran...'' Mr Burns said after holding talks with Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and Mr Shyam Saran, Advisor on the Indo-US nuclear Deal during the past two days.

Describing India as a responsible nation, he said Iran and North Korea had violated the peaceful nuclear principles even while being ''inside'' the non-proliferation regiome while India had behaved responsibly even though it was ''outside'' (the NPT regime.) Asked whether last night's developments in Washington on the Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement were in any way linked to any other issue, including Defence cooperation, between the two countries, Mr Burns said the US had a ''separate ambition'' of a much closer Defence cooperation with India.

''We want to build a much closer military relationship with India...There will soon be the transfer of US naval vessels to the Indian Navy. We are very hopeful that the US can participate in the transformation of the Indian armed forces,'' he added.

He said technology transfer would allow the two countries to have a ''long-term'' Defence relationship.

''...we see India as a partner,'' he said.

UNI RB RP DB1858