Voluntary moratorium is the policy, says Krishna

External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna on Friday said India would uphold its voluntary moratorium on nuclear-weapon tests. “That is the policy,” he said.

He was responding to a question from The Hindu on New Delhi's stand on the CTBT in the run-up to the U. S.-sponsored Nuclear Security Summit and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in the next two months. He was asked specifically whether India was coming under pressure from Japan and Australia, which now submitted common proposals to the United Nations on “practical” steps for non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.

“India's position is that we have imposed on ourselves a moratorium on all [nuclear-arms] tests. And, we will continue that [policy],” said Mr. Krishna. Asked whether India would not look at the CTBT right now, he quipped: “You can draw your own conclusion on that.”

On his talks with the Singapore leaders on Thursday and Friday, the Minister told journalists that “it has been a satisfying, very purposeful, and useful visit.” Noting that India's equation with the City-State was “hassle-free, with no concerns,” he said “good fellowship” marked the wide-spectrum relationship.

About his prospective visit to China in early April for the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Beijing, the Minister said: “With China we have a relationship which is strategic and cooperative. We have been talking to the Chinese on various issues and China is the biggest trading partner [of India]. There are some concerns on the boundary issue, but there is a mechanism which has been set up: 13 meetings have been held between the two Special Representatives.”

Mr. Krishna went round the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) here. The Minister was accompanied by India's High Commissioner to Singapore T.C.A. Raghavan and ISEAS Director K. Kesavapany, besides the High Commissioners of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

About India's plans for an international academic institution, with East Asian collaboration, Mr. Krishna said: “Land is already acquired. And, the Nalanda University Bill is being processed for parliamentary approval” during the current session. The matter is coming up before the Union Cabinet sometime next week.”