India's UN ambassador Kamlesh Sharma: current nuclear regime 'discriminatory'

Formal statements issued in Delhi and Islamabad ignored the demand, which came as part of an attempt by the UN to ease tensions between the two countries in the aftermath of their recent test blasts.

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

India says it will act responsibly as a nuclear power, but rejected any idea of international involvement in efforts to resolve its dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir.

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

'No substantial concessions'

There was no Indian commitment to sign the nuclear test ban treaty, and no promise to refrain from building nuclear weapons.

The BBC's correspondent in Delhi said India's response to the appeal from the established nuclear powers was cautiously worded.

"It offers no substantial concessions but also seems designed to prevent any further souring of diplomatic links with the United States and other permanent members of the Security Council," our correspondent said.

The Indian Foreign Ministry insisted that India's nuclear tests were not directed against any particular country.

It criticised the Security Council's permanent members for acquiescing in what it said was the transfer of nuclear weapons technology - an apparent reference to persistent but disputed reports that China has helped Pakistan with its nuclear and missile programmes.