PM embarks on US visit to attend Nuclear Security Summit

New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) India's Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh Saturday embarked on a visit to the US to
attend the Nuclear Security Summit where he is expected to
pitch for firm response to the challenges of proliferation and
possibility of terrorists gaining access to nuclear material.
During the eight-day visit, Singh will also travel to
Brazil to attend the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) and
India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Summits, where Iran's
controversial nuclear programme and the impending UN sanctions
would be among the key issues of discussions.
In the first leg of the tour, Singh will be in
Washington for four days during which he will attend the
two-day Nuclear Security Summit on April 12 and 13 and meet US
President Barack Obama and some other world leaders.
The Summit, an initiative of Obama, will focus on
dangers posed by clandestine proliferation and illicit
trafficking of nuclear material and the possibility of
terrorists acquiring atomic material.
Singh is expected to share India's apprehensions about
terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction. The threat
is greater in Pakistan, where nuclear material is believed to
be not too safe.
Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said nuclear
terrorism and proliferation of sensitive technologies are
"legitimate concerns" which require "firm responses".
He emphasised the need for "highest standards of
security" in the nuclear field to reinforce public faith in
the benefit of atomic science.
"India welcomes President Obama's initiative to hold a
Summit on Nuclear Security," said Singh, who will join leaders
of 42 other countries in discussing ways to strengthen global
initiatives for securing nuclear material and installations
amid concerns of terrorists gaining access to these.
Singh said he expected the Summit to focus on nuclear
terrorism and proliferation of sensitive nuclear materials and
technologies.
"These are legitimate concerns which require firm
responses," the Prime Minister said.
Noting that nuclear energy was poised to play a growing
role in addressing the developmental challenges of the present
times, he said, "This will be possible only if we, as
individual nations, and as a global community ensure the
highest standards of security which reinforce public faith in
the benefits of nuclear science."
He pointed out that India was an important stakeholder in
this global endeavour.
Talking about India's well developed and indigenous
nuclear energy programme, which dates back six decades, Singh
said, "We have an impeccable record of security, safety and
non-proliferation which reflects in our conduct as a
responsible nuclear power." MORE PTI