India reaffirmed its support for denuclearization on Saturday at the UN, saying it is in the “common interest” of maintaining peace and security on the Korean peninsula. In response to criticism of North Korea’s most recent ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) launch, New Delhi has called for “conversation and diplomacy.”
“We have in the past expressed our concern at the recent ballistic missile launches by the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) and we have now noted reports of another ICBM launch on November 2. These follow launches last month following which the (UN) Security Council had met,” Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said in her address.
“These launches constitute violations of the resolutions of the Security Council, relating to the DPRK. They affect the peace and security of the region and beyond. India calls for the full implementation of the UNSC resolution, relating to the DPRK. At the same, we would like to reiterate the proliferation of nuclear and missile technology relating to our region. Proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies is a matter of concern, and they have an adverse impact on peace and security in the region, including on India,” she further stressed.
In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also strongly criticised North Korea for the launch “as well as the barrage of various missiles over the past two days.” Urging the North “to immediately desist from taking any further provocative action and to fully comply with its international obligations under all relevant Security Council resolutions,” he called for urgent steps to ensure “sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula”.
According to news agency AFP, in response to Pyongyang’s record-breaking barrage of missile tests this week and the mobilisation of 180 North Korean warplanes, South Korea reportedly scrambled stealth jets on Friday.
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Due to the North’s missile launches, the United States and its allies have also been at odds with China and Russia.
China and Russia accuse the South of starting the crisis, while the US stands up for it.