India Has Important Role in Stewardship of Nuclear Weapons: Kerry

John Kerry said Obama has called the relationship with India a defining relationship of this century.

Secretary of State John Kerry, meets with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, at the Department of State, Washington. (Photo: PTI) 

India has an important role to play in responsible stewardship of nuclear weapons and materials, US Secretary of State John Kerry said ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington where he will attend the two-day Nuclear Security Summit.

India has a long record of being a leader, of being responsible, and it is particularly important right now at a time when we see some choices being made in the region that may accelerate possible arms construction, which we have serious questions about.

Kerry said Obama has called the relationship with India a defining relationship of this century, and there are many reasons for that.

India is the largest democracy in the world and a real partner with the United States on a lot of technology and energy issues. We’re particularly grateful to India for the leadership it offered in Paris, helping us to reach a climate agreement. And now, there is more that we can do with respect to the next steps in that agreement.

Doval said India was “deeply interested” in ensuring safety and security of radioactive materials.

India attaches considerable value to the Nuclear Security Summit. We are is deeply interested in seeing that the safety and security of the radioactive material is ensured. 

Hoping for increased cooperation with the US, Doval said India and the US would look to work together on their shared concerns, including terrorism and cyberspace.

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