North Korea Hydorgen bomb test a 'matter of deep concern': Ministry of External Affairs
New Delhi: Reacting to North Korea successfully conducting its first hydrogen bomb test, India has said that it was a matter of 'deep concern' and that an assessment was underway to ascertain claims that it was a 'thermo-nuclear' test.
Speaking to ANI, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup called on North Korea to refrain from such actions which 'adversely impacts on peace and stability' in the region.
"We have seen reports that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has conducted a nuclear test today. We are assessing the available information including claims that this was a thermo nuclear test. It is a matter of deep concern that DPRK has again acted in violation of its international commitments in this regard," Swarup said.
He added that India's concerns about 'proliferation links' between North East Asia and the neighbouring regions were 'well known'.
Meanwhile, the United States has announced that they will respond appropriately to the claims of the test being carried out successfully.
"We will continue to protect and defend our allies in the region, including the Republic of Korea, and will respond appropriately to any and all North Korean provocations," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
China is likely to summon North Korea's ambassador in Beijing to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a strong protest against the hydrogen bomb test.
