India Committed To World Free Of Nuclear Weapons: Khurshid

Khurshid said India considers the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency as central in international cooperative efforts to promote nuclear security. "All states must strictly abide by the international commitments that they have undertaken."

Khurshid said India envisages a major expansion of nuclear energy in the coming decades from just over 5,000 MW at present to 20,000 MW by 2020 and on to 60,000 MW by 2030. He said India was committed to the objective of a world free from nuclear weapons.

"India's action plan for global nuclear disarmament in a time-bound framework tabled by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi remains a benchmark for us and India remains ready to move in a step by step manner towards the goal of nuclear disarmament," he said. He said India has never been a source of proliferation of sensitive material and technologies and was prepared to further strengthen its export control systems in line with the highest international standards.

"Our adherence to the guidelines and lists of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime is testimony to this commitment. India's membership of the four export control regimes would further strengthen global non-proliferation efforts. "We support the early commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva," he said.

The Hague hosted the third nuclear security summit March 24-25. The last two summits were held at Seoul (2012) and Washington (2010). The next summit is also expected to be held at Washington.

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