Noting India's commitments in nuclear field, the Group of Eight most developed countries on Friday favoured partnership with it but wanted New Delhi to take 'further steps' for strengthening the non-proliferation regime.

In a statement issued after the Summit at the Heiligendamm near here, the G-8 recognised India's need to address its energy requirements.

'We note the commitments India has made... We look forward to reinforcing our partnership with India,' said the document issued by the US, Russia [Images], France [Images], UK, Italy [Images], Germany [Images], Canada [Images] and Japan [Images].

The statement said the G-8 encourages 'India to take further steps towards integration into the mainstream of strengthening the non-proliferation regime so as to facilitate a more forthcoming approach towards nuclear cooperation to address its energy requirements in a manner that enhances and reinforces the global non-proliferation regime.'

The statement assumes significance as India is looking for the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to change its guidelines to allow international community to have civil nuclear trade with it.

Deploring Iran for not stopping nuclear enrichment activities, the G-8 countries favoured 'further measures' if Tehran refuses to comply with its obligations.    

The group said, however, that a 'new chapter' could be opened in Iran's relations with the world, not only in nuclear but in political, economic and technological fields, if it were to create a confidence in the international community about exclusivity of its peaceful atomic programme.

'We remain united in our commitment to resolve the proliferation concerns posed by Iran's nuclear programme,' the statement said.

'We deplore the fact that Iran has so far failed to meet its obligations under UNSC Resolutions 1696, 1737 and 1747 and will support adopting further measures, should Iran refuse to comply with its obligations,' it said.

'We again urge Iran to take the steps required by the international community, and made mandatory by these resolutions, to suspend all its enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, and allow negotiations to begin,' it said.

It supported the action of the IAEA and asked Iran to fully cooperate with the international nuclear watchdog.      

Referring to the North Korean nuclear programme, the G-8 condemned the tests conducted by the Communist country last October as a 'clear threat to international peace and security' and asked it to comply with UN resolutions.