NEW DELHI: Iran has had a clandestine nuclear programme for several years and it is not in India's interest to have another nuclear weapon state in the neighbourhood, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here on Tuesday. Iran should have all the rights and duties of a state signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Dr. Singh was responding to a question by a Muslim delegation on India's foreign policy, particularly its vote against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency.

According to him, improvement in Indo-U.S. relations was in the interest of all Indians. He assured the delegation of representatives of various Muslim organisations, led by the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmad Bukhari, that there was no question of India succumbing to any external pressure.

Demand for package

The delegation submitted to the Prime Minister resolutions passed at a conference of Muslims held earlier in the day. These pertained to sanction of a special economic package for the victims of communal riots, restoring the minority character of Aligarh Muslim University, and initiatives to address the economic and educational backwardness of the community, illegal occupation of Wakf properties and increase the corpus of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation and the Minorities Development and Finance Corporation.

The Prime Minister told the delegation about the measures adopted by the Government to improve the lot of Muslims.

In particular, Dr. Singh referred to the high level committee set up under Rajindar Sachar to prepare a comprehensive report on the social, economic and educational status of the community.

He reiterated the commitment of his Government to address the genuine problems of Muslims and provide equitable opportunities for their economic and educational advancement.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail