WASHINGTON: More needs to be done to prevent non-state actors from obtaining nuclear materials, world leaders said in a communique after a Summit hosted by US President Barack Obama who also called India and Pakistan to reduce their nuclear arsenals.
The Nuclear Security Summit, attended by more than 50 world leaders here, termed threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism as "one of the greatest challenges to international security" in the communique, which said the threat is "constantly evolving".
At the end of the two-day meet, Obama stressed on the need for India and Pakistan to make progress in reducing their nuclear arsenal and ensure they do not "continually move in the wrong direction" while developing military doctrines.
"One of the challenges that we're going to have here is that it is very difficult to see huge reductions in our nuclear arsenal unless the United States and Russia, as the two largest possessors of nuclear weapons, are prepared to lead the way," Obama said.
"The other area where I think we need to see progress is Pakistan and India, that subcontinent, making sure that as they develop military doctrines, that they are not continually moving in the wrong direction," the US President said.
Obama's remarks are seen in the context of growing American uneasiness about the rapidly increasing nuclear arsenal of Pakistan.
Last month, US Secretary of State John Kerry had cited the example of America and Russia -- working to further reduce their nuclear arsenal -- as he urged Pakistan to review its nuclear policy.
Reaffirming their commitment to fight proliferation of nuclear weapons, the leaders said, "More work remains to be done to prevent non-state actors from obtaining nuclear and other radioactive materials, which could be used for malicious purposes.
"We commit to fostering a peaceful and stable international environment by reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism and strengthening nuclear security."
The world leaders at the Summit further added that they "reaffirm the fundamental responsibility of States, in accordance with their respective obligations, to maintain at all times effective security of all nuclear and other radioactive material, including nuclear materials used in nuclear weapons, and nuclear facilities under their control."
Sustaining security improvements requires constant vigilance at all levels, and we pledge that our countries will continue to make nuclear security an enduring priority, the communique said, adding "We, as leaders, are conscious of our responsibility".
Stressing for international cooperation for countering nuclear and radiological terrorism, the communique said it included sharing of information in accordance with States' national laws and procedures.
"International cooperation can contribute to a more inclusive, coordinated, sustainable, and robust global nuclear security architecture for the common benefit and security of all," the document said.