"We have seen comments made by Ali Larijani regarding India in a recent interview. We regret this reference to India," said a statement released by the Indian foreign ministry.

"India is a responsible nuclear weapon state and has always been in compliance with its obligations under international treaties and agreements."

On January 12, CNN aired an interview with Larijani, in which the official asserted Iran's right to pursue peaceful nuclear activities and noted that the country submits to international inspections while several nations that already possess nuclear weapons do not.

"Countries that produce nuclear weapons are neither members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nor signatories to the (nuclear) Non-Proliferation Treaty," Larijani said, according to a report published on the web site of the English-language Tehran Times newspaper.

"Iran is an IAEA member and an NPT signatory and its nuclear activities are constantly monitored."

According to Indian foreign ministry notes, Larijani made a specific reference to India at the end of the interview.

"Americans say (to Iran) 'we doubt and we suspect your intentions, you may in future develop nuclear weapons,' while IAEA reports say that Iran is 10 years away from being capable of developing weapons," Larijani reportedly said.

"But compare that to India, it does have nuclear weapons but they have extensive relations in the nuclear field. This dual standard is detrimental to international security."

India entered into an unprecedented agreement last year with the United States that would give it access to advanced civilian nuclear technology.

Critics of the deal, noting that India tested atomic weapons in 1998 and has refused to sign the NPT, say the deal will send the wrong message on nonproliferation to other nations.

In the wake of the agreement, India has appeared to fall in line with western efforts to restrict Iran's nuclear program.

In September, India voted in favour of a resolution at the IAEA drafted by Britain, Germany and France, sometimes called the EU-3, to refer Iran's nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council.

India's vote in favour of the motion raised fears domestically that Iran would retaliate by cooling ties that have become closer in the last 10 years.

Iran and India signed a strategic partnership deal in 2003 and are cooperating, along with Pakistan, on a multi-billion dollar natural gas pipeline from Iran. The two countries also have an agreement under which Iran would ship five million tons of LNG a year to India starting in 2009.

The Indian response to Larijani's remarks came as the EU-3, the United States, Russia and China met in London to discuss future action on Iran's nuclear program.

Britain, France and Germany joined the United States in calling for the IAEA to refer Iran to the Security Council -- a move that could potentially lead to sanctions.

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