Seoul: India on Sunday sought South Korea`s support in its bid for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and other international regimes related to nuclear trade.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the request during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak here.
"I requested him (Lee) for Korea`s support to India`s
quest to join international regimes such as the Nuclear
Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the
Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement," Singh told
reporters after talks with Lee.
After sealing a civil nuclear agreement with the United
States in 2008 and getting a waiver from the NSG for
participating in global nuclear commerce, India has been
campaigning for a membership of the NSG and other
international regimes.
"The Prime Minister`s request was noted," Sanjay Singh,
Secretary (East), in the Ministry of External Affairs told
reporters when asked bout Lee`s response to India`s request.
"There is a process that is ongoing and India is making
considerable progress," he said.
The two leaders also recognised the need for comprehensive UN reforms, including the expansion of the Security Council to make it more representative and effective.
During talks with Lee, the Prime Minister emphasised
India`s aspirations for a greater role in the reformed UN
Security Council.
India responded to South Korea`s desire to increase
cooperation with India in military and defence industry
including, naval ships, aircraft and ship building.
"We agreed to expand our political and security
cooperation. With this objective in mind, I informed President
Lee of India`s decision to position a Defence Attache at our
Embassy here in Seoul before the end of the year," Singh said.
Asked whether India`s growing ties would upset China,
Sanjay Singh said New Delhi`s relations with every country
stand on their own merit and were not predicated with
relations with other nations.
"We have excellent relations with both our neighbour
China and South Korea," he said.
Prime Minister Singh and President Lee also reiterated
their commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
The Korean side recalled the "timely and useful" visit of
Defence Minister A K Antony in September 2010 which provided
an excellent opportunity for both sides to exchange views on
the entire range of defence and security issues.
PTI
