India says it doesn't support treaty on nuclear-weapon prohibition

The Ministry of External Affairs said that India does not support the treaty on the nuclear-weapon prohibition. The MEA stated that India reiterates its commitment to the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.

New Delhi: As the first-ever treaty to ban nuclear weapons entered into force, India said on Friday that it does not support the treaty and shall not be bound by any of the obligations that may arise from it.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017, but none of the nine countries known or believed to possess nuclear weapons supported it and neither did the NATO alliance. The treaty came into force on Friday.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said India continues to attach high priority and remains committed to universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament.

"As far as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is concerned, India did not participate in the negotiations on the TPNW and has consistently made it clear that it will not become a party to the Treaty," the MEA said.

India does not support the treaty and shall not be bound by any of the obligations that may arise from it, it said.