Washington: In what is seen as the first public recognition of India as a "nuclear power", US President Barack Obama has said it can be a full partner of the US in preventing the spread of atomic weapons and pursuing the shared vision of a nuclear arms-free world.
"As nuclear powers, we can be full partners in preventing the spread of the world's most deadly weapons, securing loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and pursuing our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said welcoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in the first state visit of his presidency.
"I welcomed prime minister's support for the non-proliferation agenda that I laid out in Prague," Obama said while assuring India about his commitment for an early and full implementation of the path-breaking nuclear deal.
"I look forward to India's participation in our nuclear security summit next year, as well as India's participation as a full partner in our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons," he said.
The nuclear security summit, planned for April in Washington, will focus on securing nuclear materials and combating atomic smuggling.
Great opportunity to build nuclear free world: Manmohan
Manmohan Singh called his state visit to the US "a moment of great opportunity in our relationship" to address global challenges of terrorism, making the environment cleaner and moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
"This is a moment of great opportunity in our relationship," he said.
"India welcomes the renewed international interest in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We have been a consistent advocate of a world free of nuclear weapons," Singh said.
We will work with the US and other countries for the success of the Nuclear Security Summit which President Obama is hosting next year," Singh said.
IANS
First Published: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:45