US favours India's entry into elite nuclear clubs

Washington, Oct 1: The US on Sept 30 broadbased its strategic ties with India by pledging to back New Delhi's entry into elite nuclear clubs and as a permanent member of the reformed UN Security Council.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the five-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US and after his summit meeting with President Barack Obama, the two countries decided to cooperate in combating terrorism.

They stressed the need for concerted and joint efforts including the dismantling of safe havens for terrorist and criminal networks. This would include efforts to disrupt all financial and tactical support for network such as al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e- Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, the D-company and the Haqqanis.

They reiterated their calls for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to justice. Seeking to expand cooperation in strengthening global nonproliferation and export control regimes, the two leaders committed themselves to continue to work towards India's phased entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.

The President affirmed that India meets MTCR requirements and is ready for membership in the NSG. He supported India's early application and eventual membership in all four regimes.

As active participants in the Nuclear Security Summit process, the United States and India welcomed progress toward reducing the risk of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons or related materials, and noted their shared commitment to improving nuclear security nationally and globally.

PTI