NEW DELHI, 29 March 2005 — India indirectly criticized the United States yesterday for focusing on Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programs while soft-pedaling on ally Pakistan’s suspected supply of nuclear technology to them.
Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, hinting at Pakistan, said that the international community had failed to “prevent clandestine proliferation”, adding much of it “has tended to flow into or emanate from our neighborhood”.
“Unfortunately, even today, we see the same inconsistencies in approach with selective focus on the recipients of such clandestine proliferation but not enough attention on the sources of supply,” Natwar said.
Natwar’s comments come ahead of a May conference in New York called to review the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which bans the transfer of nuclear weapons and the technology to make them.
“The infirmities of the non-proliferation order have imposed costs on India and have had adverse impact on our security, as much of the clandestine proliferation which is today the focus of attention emanates from our neighborhood,” said Natwar.
“The response of the international community over the years has been, from our point of view, inadequate at best or permissive at worst, leading to the present adverse situation,” he told a two-day conference on “Emerging Nuclear Proliferation Challenges.”
“India has an abiding interest in non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction not just for its own security but for peace and security of the world at large.”
Pakistan has been caught up in a row over nuclear proliferation since February 2004, when its disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan confessed to passing atomic technology to North Korea, Libya and Iran.
Khan is under virtual house arrest but Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf pardoned him and has refused to let foreign countries or the International Atomic Energy Agency question him.
Since 1968 some 188 nations have put their names to the NPT.
Signatories include the five main nuclear powers — Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States — but not emerging nuclear states India and Pakistan or suspected nuclear state Israel.
Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in May 1998 after rival India conducted similar detonations. Both countries have active missile programs.
Pakistan and India have a bitter history of confrontation, mainly over the state of Kashmir. But they have been engaged in a peace dialogue since January last year.
Natwar said India was acting responsibly.
“India may not be a party to the NPT but our conduct has always been consistent with the key provisions of the treaty,” he said in reply to questions on New Delhi’s stand on the pact.
India says the treaty imposes stricter conditions on fledgling nuclear states than on established nuclear powers. “Our behaviour is in sharp contrast to the poor record of some of the nuclear weapon states who have been active collaborators, or silent spectators, to continuing clandestine and illegal proliferation, including export of nuclear weapons or technology,” Natwar said.
India also refuses to endorse the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty but since 1998 has imposed a moratorium on further testing. “We are fulfilling all the commitments that go in being a responsible nuclear power acting with utmost restraint,” said Natwar.
“Our unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests continues to remain in place.”
Earlier US President George W. Bush announced that the United States would supply F-16 combat planes — that can deliver nuclear warheads — to Pakistan, a move seen as a reward for its key role in the war on terrorism.
After its offer of F-16s to Pakistan, Washington tried to sweeten the pill for the Indians — who have fought three wars with their South Asian neighbor — and signaled its willingness to sell the planes and the more advanced F-18 Hornet to India.
It also said it would consider providing technology for New Delhi’s civilian nuclear program, a sign that Washington is willing to look beyond Pakistan to develop long-term strategic ties with a economically robust and military strong India.
