Washington: US Presidential candidate John Kerry has called for reducing tension between India and Pakistan to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists.

"We must work with every country to tighten export controls, stiffen penalties, and beef up law enforcement and intelligence sharing, to make absolutely sure that a disaster like the A Q Khan (Pakistani nuclear scientist) black market network, which grew out of Pakistan's nuclear programme, can never happen again," Kerry said in a speech at West Palm Beach, Florida.

"We must also take steps to reduce tension between India and Pakistan and guard against the possibility of nuclear weapons falling into the wrong hands there," the veteran Democratic Senator said.