BBC News Online: World: South Asia

Germany: "India should back test ban"

The German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, has urged India to sign the international test ban treaty on nuclear weapons.

Speaking at the end of a visit to Delhi, Mr Fischer said the treaty was an important means of stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and that Germany would be happy if India found a way to support it.

India carried out a series of nuclear tests in 1998.

Mr Fischer and his Indian counterpart, Jaswant Singh, also discussed reforming the United Nations.

They said their countries would be willing to become permanent members in an expanded Security Council.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service