Sri Lanka has sent a "strong message" to its two nuclear-armed neighbours - India and Pakistan - by acceding to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), said an official associated with the island nation's disarmament forum.
A spokesman for the Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD), the local arm of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) said that the move is a huge achievement not only for Sri Lanka but also for the entire South Asian region.
"Sri Lanka is surrounded by two nuclear weapon states which are India and Pakistan. Sri Lanka's accession to the TPNW sends a strong message to both nuclear-weapon states India and Pakistan," Vidya Abhayagunawardena, Coordinator for the FDD in Sri Lanka said welcoming the achievement as "reaffirmation of Sri Lanka's long-standing commitment" towards nuclear disarmament in favour of international peace and security.
Sri Lanka also ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in July, 27 years after the Treaty was open for signature at the United Nations, New York.
Sri Lanka was among the first signatories of the CTBT in October 1996, just days after the Treaty opened for signature.
Sri Lanka joined the TPNW bringing the tally of signatories to 93 – close to half of all states in the world - and States Parties to 69.
Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Ali Sabry joined the Foreign Minister of the Bahamas to ink the landmark accord at a ceremony in New York during the annual United Nations Leaders' Week.
Negotiated in 2017 and in force since 2021, the TPNW is the first multilateral agreement to outlaw nuclear weapons in a comprehensive manner and establish a framework for their elimination and for assisting victims of their use and testing.
Tripura CM Saha holds key meeting with BJP, IPFT and TMP leaders
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday held an "important" meeting between the leaders of ruling BJP and its two allies – Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and discussed various political and developmental issue, sources said.
HM Amit Shah's meeting sends a clear message: Not a drop of water to Pakistan
A high-level meeting was held on Friday at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The 45-minute meeting between the Home Minister and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil focused on exploring ways to halt the flow of water to Pakistan.
Tripura: TMP chief urges Centre to adopt 'stronger policy' against B'desh
Ruling BJP’s ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder-chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma on Friday urged the Central government to adopt a stronger policy stance towards Bangladesh, accusing the neighbouring country of encouraging fundamentalist forces targeting Hindu minorities.
Pahalgam attack: More countries express solidarity with India, offer support in fight against terrorism
Ambassadors of Israel, Egypt, Argentina, and Nepal met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday, expressing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism following the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam.
Tripura CM directs SPs and DMs to remain vigilant about Pakistani nationals
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday directed the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of all eight districts to regularly share necessary inputs with the Chief Minister’s Secretariat regarding the presence of any Pakistani nationals in the state, officials said.
US supports India's 'hunt' for those behind 'horrific Islamist terrorist attack' in Pahalgam, says Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), on Friday said that the United States supports India's "hunt" for the perpetrators of the "horrific Islamist terrorist attack" in Pahalgam that took place earlier this week.
Tehran stands ready to 'forge greater understanding' between India and Pakistan: Iran FM Araghchi
Citing its good relations with both India and Pakistan, Iran on Friday said that it stands ready to "forge greater understanding" between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam terror attack, earlier this week.
PM Modi's action will act as deterrent against any fresh attempts to harm India: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday denounced the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting his staunch belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive action will act as a strong deterrent against any future attempts by terrorists to harm India.