New Delhi: Voicing concern over reports of clandestine transfers and acquisition of missile and nuclear technology involving Pakistan and North Korea, India on October 18 said 'the issue needs to be seriously investigated".

Asked about report in 'New York Times' that Pakistan was a major supplier of critical equipment for North Korea's newly-revealed clandestine nuclear weapons programme in return for missiles it could use to counter India's nuclear arsenal, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said ''this does not surprise us''.

The report quoting US Intelligence officials said that the equipment, which may include gas centrifuges used to create weapons-grade uranium, appears to have been part of a "barter deal" beginning in late 1990s in which North Korea supplied Pakistan with the missiles.

He said that it was known that Pakistan's missile programme has been developed with the assistance of other countries including North Korea.

''Reports that Pakistan has in return aided North Korean nuclear programme deserves to be seriously investigated,'' he said.

Observing that Pakistan today was the ''epicentre of international terrorism'', he said, ''The problem of clandestine transfers and acquisition of missile and nuclear technology involving Pakistan is a matter of deep concern to us.''

He said, ''Building up of nuclear arsenals in our region through such methods are a matter of perpetual concern for us and they may form subject of dialogue India will have with its key interlocutors.''

PTI