Tuesday, January 17 2006 09:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A comment on its nuclear programme by a top Iranian leader has upset India, which yesterday (Jan 16, 2006) asserted that New Delhi was a responsible nuclear weapon state and has always been in compliance with its obligations under international treaties and agreements.

"We have seen the comments regarding India in a recent interview. We regret this reference to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here referring to the remarks of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

Larijani, while criticising the doubts cast on Iran's nuclear programme by the US, had compared Tehran's case with that of India. "It does have nuclear weapons but they (the US) have extensive relations in the nuclear field (with India). This dual standard is detrimental to international security," he had said.

Sarna said India had "consistently maintained that it is a state's sovereign right to enter into treaties and international agreements".

The spokesman said every country "must fully comply with its international obligations and commitments and in a transparent manner".

India, Sarna maintained, "is a responsible nuclear weapon state and has always been in compliance with its obligations under international treaties and agreements".