Ban Ki-moon asks India to play key role in ensuring nuke disarmament in South Asia

NEW DELHI: Recognising its growing stature, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today asked India to play a major role in ensuring nuclear disarmament in South Asia, bringing back peace and stability in Afghanistan and combating key global challenges like terrorism, climate change and poverty.

Expressing deep concern over rise in violent extremism and radicalisation in the region, Ban said India must shoulder the responsibility" to help South Asia stop developing nuclear arsenals and urged it to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which provides for banning all nuclear tests.

In an address to a select group of diplomats and foreign affairs experts at the Indian Council of World Affairs here, the UN Secretary General identified terrorism as major global challenge and said the terror attack in Paris was to strike at the "heart of our freedom".

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held expansive discussion with Ban during which issues such as growing global concern over terrorism, UN Peacekeeping Mission and UN reforms figured among others. India has been seeking reform of the UN Security Council to reflect realities of the modern world.

India stressed on the need for a decision-making mandate in the evolving UN doctrine on peacekeeping. India has been one of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping missions.

The issue of "Indian air component" which had been withdrawn by India in Congo in peace keeping mission also figured in the talks.

In his lecture on "India and the United Nations in a Changing World", Ban also mentioned about 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai and killing of school children in Peshawar recently and said a secure regional environment and stability in South Asia will help India reach its "ambitions and goals".

"As world's largest democracy, India has important role. Political leaders must put aside long-standing grievances and resolve old disputes. Specially in case of India and Pakistan. Continued instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only responsibility of those nations," he said in his lecture.

Ban also said India can play an important role in ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Appreciating India's contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions, he said he had set up a panel, also comprising an Indian, yesterday to ensure better support to those involve in such efforts. Around 8,000 Indian security force personnel are currently engaged in UN Peacekeeping missions.

Mentioning about India's strength, Ban said the country can be a "driver of peace" in the region and in the world as it is a "champion" of human values.

He said the country can also play a leadership role to encourage sustainable development globally. The UN chief praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative and smart cities project.

Modi had met Ban on the sidelines of Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gandhinagar yesterday and discussed issues relating to climate change, environment and clean energy.