India’s Firm Policy on Nuclear Non-Proliferation

Reiterating its stand on nuclear non-proliferation, India has once again declared that it will not sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Pressure has been consistently brought upon India to affix its signature on the CTBT, but India stuck to its stand that unless and until nuclear weapons are destroyed it will not sign any such treaty. India has now clarified it to Japan that it will consider signing the CTBT only after the United States and China sign the same.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated India's stand to Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama during his recently concluded India visit. He was speaking to journalists after exchanging views with him on nuclear non-proliferation and civilian nuclear agreements. He further clarified that India, for the sake of universal welfare, is willing to side with Japan and other like-minded nations but the pressure being brought on it to sign the CTBT was not acceptable to it. He said: "Our policy on this subject is fully clear and we continue to be firm on it."

Commitment to Self-Imposed Restriction
The Japanese prime minister said that nothing can be said on the differences between the countries over the CTBT now. He, however, expressed the hope that India would also join the United States in becoming a signatory to the treaty. Sooner or later, such a hope can be entertained. Here its needs to be noted that in the wake of Singh's statement urging the United States and China to sign the treaty, Yukio Hatoyama observed: "This would lead to the emergence of a fresh scenario. I feel this is true also. We honor India's commitment to the self-imposed restriction regarding the nuclear proliferation."
Lauding the Indian approach on the nuclear non-proliferation, the Japanese prime minister commented that India had a highly commendable track record. Prior to it, Singh made it fully clear to him that India was constrained to tread the path of making nuclear weapons in 1998, keeping in view the then prevalent conditions in the context of the global scenario. The Indian Government exercised restraint for a long time with regard to nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, India had to take to the course of making nuclear weapons for self-defense for the surrounding countries had already started treading such a path.
In 1998 India tested a nuclear explosion. Prior to it, it clarified its policy that in case all nuclear-weapon countries destroy their nuclear weapons then India will not take to this course. When none of the nuclear weapon country agreed to do so then it became imperative for India not to sign the CTBT for the sake of its self-defense.

Proxy War From Kashmir Border
India's neighboring countries, Pakistan and China, are in possession of vast stockpiles of nuclear weapons. India always made all out endeavors to maintain cordial relations with neighboring nations, yet the fact remains that these very countries launched invasions on India. China carried out an aggression against India in 1962 and occupied the entire Tibet region by capturing it. Likewise, in 1965 and 1971, Pakistan fought two full-fledged direct wars against India, in addition to the Kargil War. Pakistan persists with its almost regular proxy war from the Kashmir border. Under the circumstances, it became imperative for India to make nuclear weapons and it did so as well. Now that pressure is being brought on India to sign the CTBT, how can it do so as long as superpowers such as the United States and China do not sign it?
Now, in the context of the sanctions imposed by Japan in the high technology trade with India, the Japanese prime minister said talks had been held with India on the issue and something positive was certain to emerge in the near future. Consensus has been reached to enhance security cooperation and an official-level meeting will be held soon. Hence, it can be hoped that China, appreciating the Indian viewpoint, will value the Indian policy and mindset. However, future alone will unfold the policy to be adopted by China toward India.