Official Spokespersons Statement
We have seen reports regarding a forthcoming meeting of Foreign Ministers of G-8 and other countries. Our reaction to the pronouncements in recent weeks of the UN Security Council, G-8 and P-5 countries makes it clear that India categorically rejects any suggestions for curtailing our nuclear weapon or missile development programmes. These are decisions to be taken by the Government of India on the basis of its own assessments and national security requirements.
We would urge these countries who claim to speak on behalf of the international community to take note of the unilateral gestures made by India in recent weeks. These include, inter alia, the institution of a moratorium on nuclear testing; our willingness to explore ways and means for de jure formalisation of this undertaking; readiness to engage in negotiations on an FMCT in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva; maintain and further develop strict export controls on nuclear and related materials and technologies, resume discussions with Pakistan on all issues including our suggestion for a no-first-use agreement. These gestures and other statements reflect both our desire to further the global disarmament and non-proliferation agenda as well as our commitment to pursuing direct bilateral dialogue with Pakistan for promoting security and stability in the region. There is no place for any third party involvement of any nature whatsoever in this process.
Any action, on the part of the G-8 which does not take these proposals into account is short sighted and will be counter productive. We would expect a positive response to our initiatives from those who claim to speak for the international community, rather than prescriptive and coercive suggestions which are neither responsible nor constructive.
10th June, 1998
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