Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Tuesday expressed hope that India would soon sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

At a joint press conference after talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Hatoyama said the two countries have "differences" over the issues of the CTBT and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"I expressed the hope that along with the United States and China, India will sign and ratify the (CTBT) treaty," Hatoyama said. "In response, Prime Minister Singh said should the U.S. and China ratify the CTBT, a new situation will emerge."

"I believe he has stated it as a matter of fact. We firmly have to engage in these endeavors," Hatoyama added.

Hatoyama said that he sought "cooperation from India" for "total elimination of nuclear weapons."

On his part, Singh said India was committed to "universal, voluntary and non-discriminatory" disarmament.

"I also mentioned India has unilaterally declared moratorium on conducting nuclear explosive testing and that is a commitment we will honor," Singh said, adding that he also stressed India's "impeccable record" with regard to non-proliferation.

The CTBT, which was adopted in New York on Sept. 10, 1996, constrains the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons. To date, 181 states have signed the measure and 150 states have ratified it.

India, which is nuclear-capable and has conducted nuclear weapons tests, is not a signatory to the CTBT or the NPT.

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