New Delhi, Oct. 25 -- US President Donald Trump raised eyebrows after suggesting that North Korea is "sort of a nuclear power" during a press interaction aboard Air Force One. The remarks came as he departed for an Asia trip that could potentially include a meeting with Pyongyang's leader, Kim Jong Un.

Asked whether he was open to recognising North Korea as a nuclear state-a condition Pyongyang has repeatedly demanded for dialogue-Trump replied:

"Well, I think they are sort of a nuclear power. When you say they have to be recognized as a nuclear power, well, they got a lot of nuclear weapons, I'll say that."

The comments appear to acknowledge North Korea's nuclear arsenal without formally recognising its status as a nuclear-armed state...