Beijing: India on April 22 voiced concern over transfer of sensitive technology and know-how pertaining to weapons of mass destruction that is used to advance "revisionist agendas" and cautioned against selective interpretation of terrorism, which could damage the global body politic.

"There can be no selective interpretation of this cancer and the damage it can do to the global body-politic," Defence Minister George Fernandes said, referring to the immediate need for the international community's commitment to combat terrorism in any form be it al-Qaida, Cheche or Uighur.

"We have conveyed this to our principal interlocutors in a frank and friendly manner and your leadership is aware of this."

He was addressing "scholar-warriors" at China's prestigious National Defence University on the outskirts of Beijing.

"In like fashion, we have expressed our concerns about the transfer of sensitive technology and know-how pertaining to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the manner in which this is being used to advance revisionist agendas," said Fernandes, on the second day of his week long visit to China.

In the past, India had expressed concern over Sino-Pak military co-operation, including nuclear technology.

"Our shared interests encompass a range of anxieties that include the more recent scourge of terrorism stoked by religious radicalism and deviant state support for such activities," he said.

Commenting on his first-ever visit to China, Fernandes, who had angered the Chinese prior to and after the Indian nuclear tests of May 1998, said he has come here as a friend and to step up bilateral ties for mutual benefit.

"I come to China in the spirit of friendship and amity, representing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by our Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and the one billion Indians whom we represent," he said.

"This visit is particularly significant for me, for it is my first visit to India's most important neighbour with whom we have had a relationship that goes back almost 2,000 years," Fernandes said a day after he had fruitful talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Defence Minister General Cao Gangchuan.

Referring to India's nuclear tests in 1998, he said when the Vajpayee government assumed office in 1998, India had decided to go nuclear to redress the asymmetry.

"It was not an impulsive decision, nor was it intended to be provocative. It was a reluctant but inevitable decision intended to ensure that national sovereignty was neither impaired nor shrunk," he said.

At the same time, Fernandes said in the aftermath of the tests, India has accepted the full responsibility that devolves upon a state with nuclear weapons with rectitude and restraint as the guiding doctrinal principles that underpin this capability.

"We believe that nuclear weapons are meant for deterrence though we will not be intimidated or threatened by any form of adventurism," Fernandes stressed.

Fernandes said India is aware it has been "castigated" for going nuclear. But, he stressed New Delhi took this decision to "assure our core security interests and concerns", and went on to quote the famous Greek historian Thucydides, who said, "States, like men cannot be blamed for providing for their proper safety."

At the same time, he said this does not mean that India has diluted its commitment to global disarmament cause.

"We have urged the global community to take appropriate steps in this direction and resurrect the true spirit of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), viz to article six, India shall not be found wanting," he said.

Fernandes pointed out to the Chinese audience that India is on its way to becoming a strong nation with co-operative relations with all nations based on a mutuality of interests.

"As two large developing nations, we have convergences that span issues such as energy security and environmental degradation," he said while acknowledging that India and China had long-standing territorial disputes.

"We have long-standing differences about our border and certain territorial matters. These are being pursued by the professionals on both sides within a broad political understanding that we will maintain peace and tranquillity, as reiterated at the highest levels, on both sides," he said.

"Given our size, stages of development and complementarities, the scope for mutually beneficial opportunities is immense, if only we can discuss differences with candour and eliminate problems extraneous to our relationship," he said.

"Today, as we traverse a new century, the brief hiatus of recent decades can serve as a spur to restore the more abiding rhythms of our interaction. We are committed to strengthening the ties of mutual co-operation and friendship," he said.

PTI