NEW DELHI, Feb 10: India said on Sunday that it faces threats from countries that are “authoritarian, anti-democratic and anti-secular” and expressed concern over risks from nuclear weapons in the hands of “volatile states”, a possible reference to Pakistan.

India’s National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan was quoted as saying in Munich that South Asia has been a “source” as well as a “destination” of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and said it was a matter of concern if proper steps were not put in place.

“What are the key challenges to Asian and global security today? The challenges are many. Quite a few are security-related and are highly daunting in nature,” Mr Narayanan told an international conference on ‘security policy’.

“First and foremost are existential threats and vulnerabilities that pluralistic, secular and democratic countries such as India – with rapidly modernising economies – face from nations in the region that are authoritarian, anti-democratic and anti-secular, approximating to failed states,” he said, without naming any country.

He listed proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism emanating from Pakistan-Afghanistan “region” as the dangers to South Asia as well as the entire world.

“Credible reports suggest that the region has been both a source and a destination for proliferation of WMD material and equipment – a situation that is cause for concern if proper steps are not put in place,” Mr Narayanan said. “Threats to stability from nuclear weapons in the hands of volatile states cannot be discounted.”

Talking about the “most pervasive challenge” to Asian stability from terrorism and the activities of violent and extremist non-state armed groups, Mr Narayanan said “quite a few countries consequently face an uncertain future”.