NEW DELHI- India takes nuclear non-proliferation very seriously and unlikesome of its neighbours, it does not believe in “dirty bombs”, DefenceMinister Nirmala Sitharaman has said, in an oblique reference to Pakistan.

Shewhile speaking at a book release function, said India is complying withnuclear non-proliferation regulations despite not being a signatory to thenon-proliferation treaty (NPT).

“We are signing nuclear treaties as a commitment to non-proliferation andare not supportive of illegal spread,” she said. “Unlike some of ourneighbours, India does not believe in dirty bombs, we takenon-proliferation very seriously,” she said.

On the issue of rising militancy-related incidents in Kashmir, the ministersaid the government is working with the state government to deal with theissue. “Efforts are going on and government is engaged,” she said,referring to the visits of the Centre’s interlocutor who has been engagingwith different sections of people in the state.

She said India does not want an escalation in tensions.