Washington: Under shared non-proliferation goals, India will undertake "meaningful steps" to improve export controls without US assistance to its nuclear weapons or missile programmes, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton has said.

"As part of the expanded cooperation, India will undertake meaningful steps to improve its export controls systems, and work with the US in pursuit of shared non-proliferation goals," Bolton said while testifying before the House International Relations Committee yesterday (Mar 31, 2004).

"Consistent with its obligations under US law and constitutional commitments, the United States is offering no assistance to India's nuclear weapons or missile programmes," he said, adding US sanctions remain in place about proliferating entities in India.

"In September 2001, the Bush administration lifted nuclear-related sanctions imposed on India following its 1998 nuclear weapons tests. This decision resulted not from a diminution of US concerns regarding India's development of nuclear weapons, but reflected the administration's view that a different approach, including regular engagement on non-proliferation issues, would more effective in advancing our non-proliferation goals," he said.

"We have embarked on an intensive programme of cooperative technical exchanges on export controls, which both sides have found useful," he added.