India conveys concern to North Korea over missile tech supply to Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India on Monday conveyed its security concerns to North Korea over supply of its missile technology to neighbouring Pakistan and also emphasised significance of peace and stability in the Korean peninsula that is critical to Delhi's Act East Policy.

The issue of transfer of missile technology to Pakistan was raised by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to her North Korean counterpart Ri Su Yong during the first ever visit by Foreign Minister of that country to India, official sources indicated. Strategic affairs experts also hinted that technology for Pakistan's tactical missiles have been reportedly been given by Pyongyang.

During her comprehensive talks with Ri,Swaraj however assured that India would "positively" consider Korean request for additional humanitarian aid.

The meeting, which comes nearly a month ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Seoul, also provided an opportunity to the India side to review its relationship with North Korea, which is under heavy economic and other sanctions from the UN and western countries. Stability in East Asia is key to India's Act East Policy. She also reiterated India's stand "on the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."