CTBT not yet, asserts PM

8220;We will adhere to the treaty as a nuclear weapon state if other conditions are met,8221; he said.

Officials explained that New Delhi is primarily pressing nuclear powers to recognise its need for a minimum nuclear deterrence and remove all hurdles in dual use technology for it to formally adhere to the treaty.

Vajpayee8217;s remarks came as his special emissary Jaswant Singh held another round of talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott to narrow down differences on the nuclear issue and agreed to meet in November at a mutually convenient venue.

Asked whether India was close to signing the CTBT, Vajpayee said: 8220;Talks are still going on.8221;

He made it clear that India was in no hurry to sign the treaty without adequate assurances.

Vajpayee said India8217;s announcement that it will not undertake further nuclear tests was enough to show that New Delhi had abided by the basic and important conditions for adhering to the treaty but 8220;still there are some questions which have to be resolved.8221;

The prime minister said though there were reservations on some provisions of CTBT, it could not be amended now as a majority of nations including a number of non-aligned countries had already accepted it.

He said had India adhered to the treaty earlier, it would have prevented it from undertaking the Pokhran tests. 8220;Now that we have carried out the tests, this constraint is not there.8221;

The prime minister said Indian scientists too feel that Delhi had acquired sufficient data and there was no need for further underground tests.

Asked whether India was seeking recognition as a nuclear weapon power, he asserted 8220;We are a nuclear power state. It is not a gift from anyone.8221;

He emphasised that more important than CTBT was the need for the international nuclear regime to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons. 8220;We want a nuclear weapon-free world and elimination of nuclear weapons within a definite time-frame.8221;

Hitting out at the dual policy of traditional nuclear weapon states on disarmament, he regretted that no clear-cut and firm steps had been taken in this direction by these countries.

India, the prime minister said, would strongly advocate global efforts to tackle the menace of terrorism. 8220;We have suffered terrorism for a long time.8221;

He was appreciative of US President Bill Clinton broadly endorsing New Delhi8217;s stand on terrorism in his speech on the opening day of the General Assembly session.

Vajpayee, who will address the session tomorrow, is expected to put fourth India8217;s claim for a permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council.

8220;We have received wide support for our claim8221; in this regard, the prime minister said in response to a question.