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'Rubbish', says India about reports that it has been isolated at NAM

Sheikh Manzoor Ahmed in Durban

India has dismissed as ''rubbish'' reports that it is isolated at the Non-Aligned summit on the controversial nuclear disarmament issue.

''We were not isolated and a number of countries appreciate our stand on nuclear disarmament,'' a senior Indian government official said.

Referring to reports that South Africa and some other countries were critical of the series of tests conducted by India and Pakistan in May, the official said the Indian government explained at the ministerial and senior official meetings that ''the recent development in the South Asian region highlights the need for the world to move towards disarmament.''

He said India has time and again stated that it is for complete elimination of nuclear weapons within a specified time frame. ''Most countries endorse India's stand,'' he said.

However, he admitted that there were some problems in finalising the NAM declaration on nuclear disarmament. A sub-group has been formed which is expected to finalise the draft.

UNI

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