Adhering to the UN Security Council’s sanctions that prevent the trade of any item to North Korea, India has notified the compliance to the resolution.
Through an official gazette dated April 21, the government has barred citizen or firm from supplying arms, any nuclear related material or technology or any other material to North Korea that would enhance the country’s missile capabilities or other weapons of mass destruction-related programmes.
New Delhi, however, will supply only food and medicines to Pyongyang, it said.
The gazette, which was put out by the External Affairs Ministry, clearly mentioned that the sale of luxury goods including jewellery, gems, yachts and luxury automobiles like racing cars and except food or medicine, that could directly contribute to the development of North Korea's operational capabilities of its armed forces is also prohibited.
It also ordered immediate freezing of the funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on its territories, that are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the persons or entities engaged in or providing support for the nation’s nuclear-related, other weapons of mass destruction-related and ballistic missile-related programmes, including through other illicit means.
India has maintained low-key diplomatic ties with North Korea over the years. In 2015, India had hosted North Korea’s Foreign Minister in an attempt to deliver the Pyongyang leadership a message to delink from Pakistan's nuclear programme.
India’s latest decision to prevent the trade of any item to North Korea is significant amid the rising US pressure on the country.
