Both India and Pakistan have declined to give assurances demanded by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council that they should sign the nuclear test ban treaty and refrain from deploying nuclear weapons.

Formal statements issued in Delhi and Islamabad ignored the demand, which came in the aftermath of the recent test blasts by Pakistan and India.

The Indian statement criticised the five established nuclear weapons powers, accusing them of taking no credible steps to disarm.

India also rejected any idea of international involvement in efforts to resolve its dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir.

Pakistan says it's not interested in an arms race, but that it will maintain a balance with India.