United Nations, Oct 17: Concerned that nuclear non-proliferation goals and frameworks are beset with a crisis of identity, relevance and effectiveness, India has suggested global nuclear disarmament and prohibiting the use of atomic weapons under any circumstance. Addressing a United Nations committee, its representative Sheel Kant Sharma said, "We understand the urgency of exploring in a constructive manner how to cope with this problem."
"We believe that through dialogue and consultation, agreement can be found on ways and means of achieving the desired ends, be that counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery or end use based controls on related materials and technologies," he said. Sharma, Additional Secretary (international organizations) of external affairs ministry, said the evolving nature of threats and their new manifestation require new and innovative methods to deal with them.
Stating that military power reinforced with nuclear weapons has remained a critical arbiter and shaper of global power equation since the end of the cold war, Sharma said this "fact-of-life" had compelled India to exercise the nuclear weapons option so as to "harmonize our security interests with prevailing environment."
"In fashioning our nuclear doctrine, one of minimum credible deterrence, we have nonetheless demonstrated a defensive posture, restraint and responsibility," he told the delegates. India, he said, has declared a firm policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and a firm comment to avoidance of the use of nuclear weapons against non nuclear weapon states.
But so long as nuclear weapons remain, Sharma said, it is necessary for all states who possess them to take steps to reduce the risk of their accidental or unauthorized use.
"We believe that tangible steps to deal with nuclear danger should be geared to multilateral process and verifiability that would engender necessary confidence among states," he said. Bureau Report