Joining the US and its allies
in condemning North Korea on its International Ballistic Missile (ICBM) test
launch, India has called upon "North Korea to refrain from such actions
that undermine international peace and stability."
"Democratic People's
Republic of Korea's (DPRK) continued pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile
programmes and its proliferation links pose a grave threat to international
peace and stability," a strongly worded MEA release on the issue said adding
that "they have also adversely impacted India's national security."
"India also urges the
international community to work together to hold accountable all those parties
that have supported these programmes," the MEA release further added.
North Korea successfully test
fired its first ever ICBM, that can also carry nuclear warheads, on July 4
which, according to experts, is a new type unlike the previous North Korean
missile tests and with a range of over 8000 Kms, can easily reach the American
mainland. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un taunted that the successful ICBM
launch was a gift to America on its Independence Day that also falls on July 4.
Yesterday, Enna Park, South
Korea's Ambassador for Public Diplomacy who, had requested India to become a party
of the global effort to deal with North Korea. Enna Park is in India as special
representative of South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
North Korea's ICBM has left
the major world powers divided. A Russia-China joint statement was soft when it
put the onus of North Korea’s missile launch on annual US-South Korea military
drills in the region and deployment of the US anti-ballistic missile defence
system THAAD in South Korea.
Trump who had said earlier he
would not allow North Korea to have an ICBM, reacted strongly saying US was
drawing plans for its “pretty severe” response. The US, with South Korea, held
military drill in response to North Korea’s ICBM and the US allies held an
emergency UN Security Council meeting where US’ UN Ambassador Nikki Haley
asserted that the US could use “considerable military forces” if situation
demanded.
©SantoshChaubey
