The United States has imposed sanctions on India, cutting off all aid but humanitarian assistance.

President Bill Clinton signed official papers imposing the measures on India for carrying out nuclear tests.

The two new nuclear explosions has drawn further world condemnation.

Pakistan has bitterly condemned the latest Indian tests. The Pakistani Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan said the Indian leadership seemed to have gone beserk and was acting in a totally unrestrained way.

At an emergency meeting before the new tests, Pakistan's Defence Committee called India's explosion of three nuclear devices on Monday "reckless and highly provocative."

Widespread condemnation

The resumption of nuclear testing by India has provoked an international outcry.

Japan, the only country which has fallen victim to two nuclear bombs, has suspended all but essential humanitarian aid.

The Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto said that before Monday's detonations he had urged India not to resume nuclear testing.

Japan is India's biggest donor providing an annual grant of about $25m.

Canada recalled its ambassador in India for consultations, making the announcement shortly before the new tests were made public.

India's Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpay has written to the world's major powers to explain the reason for the tests, the first in 24 years.

He insisted India was committed to nuclear disarmament but said India's security requirements would remain paramount.
 

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