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NEW DELHI: India on Monday called for stepped up attention from the international community to check illicit proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Addressing the UN security council meeting on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla said, “There is a need for the international community to pay closer attention to the illicit proliferation of networks of nuclear weapons, their delivery systems, components and relevant technologies.”
Shringla added that while India has joined three of four global non-proliferation regimes— Australia Group, Wassenaar Arrangement and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)— it has harmonised its controls in accordance to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. India is yet to get entry into the NSG because China has blocked India’s membership. Given the state of bilateral relations, that block is not likely to be lifted anytime soon.
Shringla said India did not sign on to CTBT because it did not address India’s core concerns. “India maintains a unilateral moratorium on explosive nuclear testing,” he said, leaving the door open for simulated and other means of testing.
India also recommitted to negotiations for a fissile material cutoff treaty (FMCT), on the basis of the mandate of CD/1299. These negotiations have not moved anywhere because of Pakistan’s objections.
“India has played a leading role in global efforts towards nuclear disarmament. India was the first country to call for a ban on nuclear testing in 1954 and a non-discriminatory treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, as distinct from non-dissemination, in 1965,” said Shringla, as he underscored India’s commitment to a nuclear weapon free world.
“Without prejudice to the priority we attach to nuclear disarmament, India has expressed its readiness to support the commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT)” in the Conference on Disarmament on the basis of the mandate contained in CD/1299, Shringla said, adding that in this context, India has also participated in the work of the Group of Governmental Experts on FMCT and the High-level Expert Preparatory Group on FMCT.
Addressing the UN security council meeting on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla said, “There is a need for the international community to pay closer attention to the illicit proliferation of networks of nuclear weapons, their delivery systems, components and relevant technologies.”
Shringla added that while India has joined three of four global non-proliferation regimes— Australia Group, Wassenaar Arrangement and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)— it has harmonised its controls in accordance to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. India is yet to get entry into the NSG because China has blocked India’s membership. Given the state of bilateral relations, that block is not likely to be lifted anytime soon.
Shringla said India did not sign on to CTBT because it did not address India’s core concerns. “India maintains a unilateral moratorium on explosive nuclear testing,” he said, leaving the door open for simulated and other means of testing.
India also recommitted to negotiations for a fissile material cutoff treaty (FMCT), on the basis of the mandate of CD/1299. These negotiations have not moved anywhere because of Pakistan’s objections.
“India has played a leading role in global efforts towards nuclear disarmament. India was the first country to call for a ban on nuclear testing in 1954 and a non-discriminatory treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, as distinct from non-dissemination, in 1965,” said Shringla, as he underscored India’s commitment to a nuclear weapon free world.
“Without prejudice to the priority we attach to nuclear disarmament, India has expressed its readiness to support the commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT)” in the Conference on Disarmament on the basis of the mandate contained in CD/1299, Shringla said, adding that in this context, India has also participated in the work of the Group of Governmental Experts on FMCT and the High-level Expert Preparatory Group on FMCT.
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