This side of the story

In the '50s and '60s we pleaded for global nuclear disarmament and elimination of nuclear weapons when the earth's atmosphere and seas were also polluted. We put forward proposal after proposal which were rejected or distorted by the nuclear weapons states in order to preserve their nuclear arsenal monopoly: our call for a ban of nuclear tests in 1954, a non-discriminatory treaty on non-proliferation in 1965, a treaty on non-use of nuclear weapons in 1978, a nuclear freeze in 1982 and complete elimination of nuclear weapons in 20 years in 1988. The NPT and CTBT, originally India's proposals, were similarly distorted. The infamous and illegal Entry into Force Clause was introduced into the CTBT to target and coerce India to sign an unequal treaty that perpetuated nuclear apartheid.

It is not India that is a threat to international peace, as has been advocated by some quarters, but those nuclear weapon states that have violated Article VI of the NPT in stock-piling thousands of nuclear weapons, who continue to upgrade them and elaborate new nuclear doctrines to justify use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states in their national interests.

India's nuclear tests were a political statement, not aimed at any particular country, and the nuclear option to be used only in self-defence and not in aggression. Our prime minister, addressing Parliament on 25 May, stated: "India does not intend to reinvent empty doctrines and cliches of the Cold War; we do not intend to join in an arms race, hostilities notwithstanding. We are committed to maintain peace with stability in the region and beyond. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has put forward certain suggestions. With Pakistan we have always desired to pursue the path of peace and comprehensive and constructive dialogue. This is a manifestation of our national confidence and strength. Our proposals for the modalities of the dialogue as also a range of proposals, are with Pakistan and we await their response. Our dialogue includes peace and security issues including Confidence Building Measures. In this context let me reiterate my proposal to discuss no first-use with Pakistan. The international community can rest assured that on our part there is no desire to heighten tensions. Pakistan faces no threat from India. We are disappointed that US has displayed a lack of appreciation of India's legitimate security concerns... Since 11 May, Government has taken certain initiatives: a moratorium is in place; we have volunteered to engage in negotiations on FMCT; India will undertake stringent export controls on nuclear and missile-related technologies; we have offered to discuss a no first-use with Pakistan as also with other countries bilaterally or in a multilateral forum. These initiatives address substantially a number of concerns expressed by other countries. With China: we seek a relationship in which both sides are responsive to each other's concerns. We remain committed to the process of dialogue to resolve outstanding differences."

We who live in south Asia do not see any heightened tension in the region, or brinkmanship scenarios (at least no more than what exists in any other part of the world including Europe) painted by interested quarters, unless advocated or abetted from outside the region. India's concerns go beyond south Asia as we have reiterated so often. India will be a factor of stability and peace in south Asia and beyond. The present government is continuing the policy of the government of former Prime Minister Gujral in enhancing good relations with our neighbours. We believe that third party interference will only complicate bilateral issues.

Separately on disarmament the government hopes that the international community will respond positively to its call for a new non-discriminatory Nuclear Weapons Convention on the lines of the successful Biological Weapons Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention leading to total and global elimination of nuclear weapons. In this India's disarmament policy and commitment to making the world safe from nuclear weapons have not changed.

M. Manimekalai
Counsellor
Embassy of India
Cairo