NEW DELHI, Nov 30: India and the European Union, in their talks here on Friday, expressed the hope that stability and democracy would return soon to Pakistan even as they appeared to be worried about the possibility of its nuclear weapons being seized by non-state actors.

The two sides, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates, current president of the European Council, also expressed concern at the security situation in Afghanistan.

A joint statement at the end of their talks said: “India and the EU express the hope that Pakistan will soon return to stability and democracy.” They also reaffirmed their “shared interest” in working together to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems.

“They regard proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems, particularly the risk of their falling into the hands of terrorists and other non-state actors, as a significant contemporary challenge,” the statement said.

They emphasised the importance of full compliance by all states with their non-proliferation and disarmament obligations, including through national implementation of effective export control measures as detailed in the UNSC Resolution 1540.

“India and the EU are ready to contribute as partners to global efforts to address the proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery while preserving and promoting cooperation in peaceful uses of technology through forward looking approaches among countries committed to disarmament and non-proliferation,” the statement said.

Supporting a sovereign, democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan, they welcomed Kabul’s joining Saarc as its eighth member at the 14th Summit held in New Delhi in April 2007.

The two sides noted that although much has been achieved in recent years in Afghanistan, “formidable challenges still lie ahead”. In this regard, they expressed concern over the security situation in Afghanistan because of “the growth in terrorism and drug related activities, and the danger these developments pose”.

The India-EU talks also condemned continued attacks on aid workers, and the kidnapping and killing of innocent people by illegal armed groups, including the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The two sides “reiterated … that a coherent and united international commitment remains of paramount importance.”