India joins S Korea, US over North's planned satellite launch

SEOUL: India today joined South Korea and the US in voicing their concern over North Korea's plan to launch an 'application satellite', a move that is likely escalate tension in the peninsula.

In a joint statement after their parleys, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called for maintaining peace and stability in the peninsula including its denuclearisation.

Noting North Korea's announcement made on March 16, 2012 that it plans to launch the so-called "application satellite", the leaders said that nothing should be done which increases tensions in the region and violates the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

"Nothing should be done which could increase tensions in the region," Sanjay Singh, Secretary (East), in the Ministry of External Affairs told reporters.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama warned North Korea that it risks deepening its isolation in the global community if it proceeds with its planned long-range rocket launch.

"North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocations," Obama said, who is here to attend a nuclear security summit. The US President spoke following a private meeting with President Lee.

Both leaders warned there would be consequences if North Korea proceeds with next month's launch. The move would jeopardise a deal for the US to resume stalled food at to the North, Obama said.

"Bad behaviour will not be rewarded," Obama said. North Korea plans to launch a satellite using a long-range rocket next month, which the US and other powers said would violate a UN ban on nuclear and missile activity because the same could be used for long-range missiles.