Total disarmament a distant dream, admits Medvedev

Russia on Wednesday acknowledged that total nuclear disarmament was not possible in the near future, but called for a global consensus on the issue.

"In near future, total disarmament is impossible. We need to exercise special efforts for that," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interaction with the students of IIT-Bombay.

The visiting President was replying to a question on whether total nuclear disarmament is possible. Citing the example of the second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty signed on April 8 this year to limit deployment of nuclear warheads, he said American lawmakers were yet to ratify it.

"We have signed the START with the United States. My colleague Obama is trying to convince lawmakers to ratify it. If they do not ratify, we will also not ratify it," he said.

While pitching for a concerted effort for total disarmament, Medvedev said, "Globally we need countries to agree with the idea. It does not only depend on the US or Russia. I believe humans have enough intelligence to say no to all weapons."

The Russian President criticised Iran for not allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its nuclear installations. "Russia has good relations with Iran and was involved in setting up energy projects and nuclear station. Everyone agrees that Iran has the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy," he said.

However, Iran has not allowed the IAEA to inspect its territory like India and Russia. "Hence, sanctions were imposed on Iran by the United Nations Security Council and I hope that six-party talks which are underway with Iran would yield results," he said.