India Joins S.Korea & U.S Against N.Korea's Planned Satellite Launch

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the leaders of the

Nuclear Security Summit, in Seoul on March 27, 2012.  Photo © PIB

SEOUL  (NNN-Bernama) -- India has joined South Korea and the United States in voicing their concern over North Korea's plan to launch an 'application satellite', a move that is likely to escalate tension in the peninsula, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called for maintaining peace and stability in the peninsula including its denuclearisation.

Noting North Korea's announcement made on March 16, that it plans to launch the so-called "application satellite", the leaders said that nothing should be done which increases tensions in the region and violates the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

"Nothing should be done which could increase tensions in the region," Sanjay Singh, Secretary (East), in the Ministry of External Affairs told reporters.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama warned North Korea that it risks deepening its isolation in the global community if it proceeds with its planned long-range rocket launch.

"North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocations," Obama said, who is here to attend a nuclear security summit. The US President spoke following a private meeting with President Lee.

Both leaders warned there would be consequences if North Korea proceeds with next month's launch. The move would jeopardise a deal for the US to resume stalled food at to the North, Obama said.

"Bad behaviour will not be rewarded," Obama said.

North Korea plans to launch a satellite using a long-range rocket next month, which the US and other powers said would violate a UN ban on nuclear and missile activity because the same could be used for long-range missiles. --NNN-BERNAMA