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N-deterrent at last, says government

The government tonight announced that India now had a ''very credible'' nuclear deterrent, but did not specify whether or not a decision had been taken to induct nuclear weapons.

''The people of India now have a very credible nuclear deterrent but I will not comment on whether or not a decision has been taken to induct nuclear weapons,'' principal secretary to the prime minister, Brajesh Mishra, told a news conference while giving details of the three underground nuclear tests conducted by India today. Also present at the press conference was Foreign Secretary K Raghunath.

Mishra justified the nuclear tests and said the nuclear environment around India was ''very dangerous.'' He also said India did not inform any other country about its intention to carry out nuclear tests.

In an official statement a couple of hours after Prime Minister A B Vajpayee announced the carrying out of the tests, the government said these tests had established that India had a proven capability for a weaponised nuclear programme.

''They also provide a valuable database which is useful in the design of nuclear weapons of different yields for different applications and for different delivery systems.''

Dispelling the fears of the international community, India categorically reaffirmed that it will continue to exercise the most stringent control on the export of sensitive technologies, equipment and commodities -- especially those related to weapons of mass destruction.

''Our track record has been impeccable in this regard. Therefore we expect recognition of our responsible policy by the international community."

The official statement, read out by Mishra at a crowded briefing tonight, said India remained committed to a speedy process of nuclear disarmament leading to total and global elimination of nuclear weapons.

"India's adherence to the chemical weapons convention and the biological weapons convention was evidence of our commitment to any global disarmament regime which is non-discriminatory and verifiable.

''We shall also be happy to participate in the negotiations for the conclusion of fissile material cut-off treaty in the Geneva-based conference on disarmament''.

The tests provided a reassurance to the people of India that their national security interests were paramount and will be promoted and protected, the statement said, and added, ''Succeeding generations would also rest assured that contemporary technologies associated with nuclear option have been passed on to them in this 50th year of our independence.''

The statement added: ''Measurements have also confirmed that there was no release of radioactivity into the atmosphere. These were contained explosions like the experiment conducted in May 1974.''

Experts saw the resumption of nuclear testing as a clear message to the Western powers, particularly the United States, that India would pursue an independent nuclear policy appropriate for its security.

UNI

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