Manmohan alerts world about Pakistan's A.Q. Khan network

Washington, (IANS) Without naming Pakistan's A.Q. Khan operation, India Tuesday reminded the world of the dangers of "clandestine proliferation networks" and asked the world to join hands to combat trafficking of nuclear materials.

"Clandestine proliferation networks have flourished and led to insecurity for all, including and especially for India," Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told 47 world leaders gathered at the Nuclear Security Summit here.

"We must learn from past mistakes and institute effective measures to prevent their recurrence," the prime minister said in his intervention on the concluding day of the summit.

"The danger of nuclear explosives or fissile material and technical know-how falling into the hands of non-state actors continues to haunt our world," he said.

"India is deeply concerned about the danger it faces, as do other states, from this threat," he said.

Although he did not name Pakistan, the reference was obvious to world leaders gathered for the summit who, too, have voiced apprehensions about the dangers of Pakistan-origin proliferation.

Announcing the setting up of the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership in India, Manmohan Singh stressed that "the world community should join hands to eliminate the risk of sensitive and valuable materials and technologies falling into hands of terrorists and illicit traffickers".

"There should be zero tolerance for individuals and groups which engage in illegal trafficking in nuclear items," Manmohan Singh stressed.