Government bans all defense related trade with North Korea, Iran

New Delhi: India has banned trade in all arms and related products with Iran and North Korea, acting in accordance with the UN Security Council`s resolution to stop import and export of items which may contribute to strengthening of the nuclear programmes of these countries. A notification to this effect has been made in the annual supplement of the country's Foreign Trade Policy.

The ban comes ahead of a three-day visit by North Korean vice foreign minister Kim Hyong Jun to the country from 1 May. The visit, ostensibly, is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

The government has prohibited direct and indirect export and import of materials, goods and technology which could contribute to North Korea`s nuclear, ballistic missile or other weapons of mass destruction related programmes.

It has also prohibited direct or indirect export and import of all items, materials, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran`s enrichment, reprocessing or heavy water related activities or to development of its nuclear weapons delivery systems.

The meeting between North Korean minister and his Indian counterpart would be the first high-level  contact between the two countries since the former conducted nuclear tests on 9 October 2006. India had joined the international community in deploring the tests.

The last foreign office consultations were held in Pyongyang in June 2005.