India has called on the international community to join forces to ensure weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and sensitive technologies do not fall into the hands of terrorists and non-state actors.

Participating in a high-level meeting on 'Countering Nuclear Terrorism' on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri said India supported enhancing international cooperation to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMDs.

Puri said as a victim of terrorism for over three decades, India was fully cognizant of the catastrophic dangers that transfer of WMDs to non-state actors and terrorists could entail. He, however, added that the focus on non-state actors should not diminish state accountability in combating terrorism, dismantling its support infrastructure or curbing its linkages with WMDs.

Outlining the steps taken by India to prohibit access of WMDs to terrorists and non-state actors, Puri said the country has in place a stringent and effective export control system.