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We have seen the Joint Communique issued by the Foreign Ministers of
China, France, Russia, the UK and the USA in Geneva on June 4, 1998.
India has a consistent record as a responsible member of the international
community, and a pioneer and leading participant in the movement towards
global nuclear disarmament. Regrettably, the world is still far from establishing
a comprehensive and equitable regime of nuclear disarmament, primarily
because the nuclear weapon states have not taken credible and effective
steps towards this goal. What has been put in place is a deeply flawed
and discriminatory non-proliferation system which has legitimised the possession
of nuclear weapons by a few countries and their presence in our neighbourhood.
It is this adverse security environment that has compelled us to take the
decision to carry out nuclear weapon tests.
The P-5 are not unaware that one of the most serious threats to our
security has arisen because of the non-observance of the obligations they
have undertaken under the NPT. The clandestine transfer over the years
of nuclear weapons technology and fissile material to our neighbourhood
is well known. Nevertheless the P-5 have declined to take any action to
address a serious violation of a Treaty provision to which all of them
were party.
India has not violated any treaty provisions which it has undertaken.
Our tests are not directed against any country. We have not raised tensions
nor do we intend to do so. India remains committed to a comprehensive,
universal and non-discriminatory global nuclear disarmament regime.
In keeping with this responsible approach as a nuclear weapon state
we have reiterated our commitment to continue observing the strictest control
on export of nuclear material or related technologies. We would also draw
attention to the significant proposals we have made recently for confidence
building measures in the field of nuclear disarmament and for peace and
stability in the region and beyond, i.e.: (i) India will observe a voluntary
moratorium and refrain from conducting further tests. India is also willing
to move to a de jure formulation of this declaration. (ii) India is willing
to participate in negotiations on the FMCT in the Conference on Disarmament
in Geneva. (iii) India has announced that it is ready to discuss a non-first-use
agreement bilaterally with Pakistan, as also with other countries, bilaterally
or in a collective forum. These proposals provide a reasonable framework
for addressing our common concerns.
We have also consistently worked to build confidence and promote peace
and stability in our region. The initiatives we have taken along with other
countries in this area have helped create a climate of cooperation and
integration, at both bilateral and multi-lateral levels. With Pakistan
we have sought to develop a peaceful and cooperative relationship. Direct
bilateral dialogue is the only means of achieving this objective. This
will facilitate working out the possibilities of mutually beneficial cooperation
as well as addressing of outstanding issues on the basis of mutual respect
for each other concerns. We intend to continue in a constructive and sustained
manner the broad based dialogue process which was renewed at our initiative
in early 1997. Subjects for the dialogue have been mutually agreed on and
include questions of peace and security, Jammu & Kashmir as well as
trade and economic cooperation, people to people and cultural contacts,
drug trafficking and cross-border terrorism. This process has been under
way for over a year now. Our specific and well considered proposals for
the modalities for further talks have been with Pakistan since January
1998 and a response from them is awaited. We reiterate once again that
there is no room for any outside involvement of any nature whatsoever in
this process.
New Delhi,
5th June, 1998
Referring to the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on 6.6.98,
the Official Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs has noted as
follows:
We regret that the Security Council has acted in the way it has and
produced a resolution which is coercive and unhelpful in respect of the
objectives it seeks to address. The problem of non-proliferation cannot
be arbitrarily confined to a narrow geographical segment, but can be addressed
meaningfully only in a global framework. This narrow focus and approach
by the Council will heighten tensions, not lessen them.
India has reiterated its commitment to non-proliferation frequently.
India is conscious of its responsibilities as a nuclear weapon state. Our
impeccable record speaks for itself and is better than that of many who
have chosen to attempt to instruct us in the matter. India has proposed
a series of measures, including no-first-use, moratorium on further testing
and negotiations on PMCT. Attempts to coerce Member States to accede to
international treaties is contrary to the norms of international law. The
NPT represents an unequal world order. The Council's authority to
decide on disarmament matter is questionable and not in conformity with
the UN Charter.
The Security Council is strangely silent on many fundamental questions
on its role under the UN Charter, raised by the Permanent Representative
of India to the United Nations in the letter addressed to the President
of the Security Council on 4th June, 1998.
We find it grotesque that an organ of the United Nations should seek
to address India in this manner - a country that represents one-sixth of
humanity and is the world's largest democracy and a founder member of the
UN and NAM, a country which has contributed significantly to the evolution
and growth of the organisation. India has consistently supported an enlightened
multilateralism and globalism and participated constructively in the UN's
activities since its inception including UN Peace Keeping Operations.
In respect of the global situation created by presence of nuclear weapons,
we firmly recommend a global and comprehensive approach, working towards
adopting a Nuclear Weapons Convention, in the shortest possible time.
India is committed to fostering friendship and cooperation with all
neighbouring countries. With Pakistan, we are determined to resolve all
outstanding issues through direct bilateral dialogue and establish a mutually
beneficial relationship. Our proposals for resuming the dialogue are with
Pakistan. There is no place for third party involvement of any nature whatsoever
in this process.
New Delhi,
6th June, 1998
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