Prime Minister's statement on CTBT in Lok Sabha on August 4, 1998
"After concluding the series of tests on May 13, India immediately announced a
voluntary moratorium on further underground nuclear test explosions. In announcing
this moratorium, India accepted the basic obligation of a test ban. In 1963 too, when we
had wanted a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty what the international community concluded
instead was only a Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT). Eventually, India went along and became
an original state party to the PTBT. That decision was taken in the broader national
interest.
As Hon'ble Members know fully well, India which first proposed a ban on testing in 1954,
and as a country that remains committed to global nuclear disarmament, could hardly have
acted otherwise. In announcing the moratorium, we reflected our own commitment to
disarmament as also addressed the general wish of the international community.
Naturally, India reserves the right to review this decision if in its judgement
extraordinary events take place that jeopardise India's supreme national interests.
The CTBT also gives the same right to every country. We then also announced our
willingness to move towards a de jure formalisation of our voluntary undertaking. Ways and
means of doing this are being explored through bilateral discussions with key
interlocutors. These dialogues have been undertaken after satisfying ourselves that
India no longer requires to undertake nuclear explosions. We can maintain the
credibility of our nuclear deterrent in the future without testing. India
remains committed to this dialogue with a view to arriving at a decision regarding
adherence to the CTBT. In 1996, we stayed out of the CTBT principally with national
security as our only guide. That remains entirely unaltered."
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