New Delhi, September 29
Warning that the spectre of nuclear terrorism posed a formidable challenge to the global community, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today deeply regretted that the global non-proliferation regime had not succeeded in preventing nuclear proliferation.
“Global non-proliferation, to be successful, should be universal, comprehensive and non-discriminatory and linked to the goal of complete nuclear disarmament,” he said inaugurating a three-day international conference on peaceful uses of nuclear energy organised to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr Homi Bhabha, who pioneered India’s nuclear programme.
His remarks came just days after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, thus bringing renewed pressure on India to sign the CTBT and the NPT.
Amid the raging debate over the success of the Pokhran II and suggestions that the country should conduct a few more nuclear tests, the PM made it clear that India was committed to voluntary, unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing. “India is proud of its proliferation record and is committed to global efforts of preventing the proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction,” he said.
He also announced that as a nuclear weapon state and a responsible member of the international community, India would constructively participate in the negotiations of a fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) in the conference on disarmament.
He firmly told those questioning India’s credentials as a responsible nuclear power that the country had an updated, effective and comprehensive export control system and remained committed to not transferring sensitive technology and equipment to other countries that did not possess them. In this connection, he said the IAEA had a crucial role in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy, while reducing proliferation risks.
Supporting US President Barack Obama’s timely initiative to convene a global summit on nuclear safety in 2010, he also took note of the fact that Washington and Moscow were negotiating further cuts in their nuclear arsenals. “States with substantial nuclear arsenals should take meaningful steps on nuclear disarmament,” he added.
He was of the view if the “power of atom” was used for the universal good, the possibilities were unbounded. “But if we do not, the consequences would also be devastating for the peace and progress that all nations seek for their people,” he said.
He underlined that if India was able to manage its nuclear energy programme well, its three-stage strategy could yield potentially 470,000 MW of power by 2050. This would sharply reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and would be a major contribution to global efforts to combat climate change.
