From the Archives (April 13, 1968): India will not sign NPT, says P.M.

“Aid or no aid, India will not sign the non-proliferation treaty,” the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, told newsmen here [Rae Bareli] today [April 12]. Reiterating the country’s stand Mrs. Gandhi added: “Under the existing circumstances the treaty is not in the interest of India.” The Prime Minister, however, denied any pressure on India from any quarter to be a party to the treaty. “No one can force us to do anything that may be against the interests of the country,” she said. Earlier, addressing a seminar of officials and non-officials on the development of Rae Bareli district, Mrs. Gandhi said that India should be prepared for all consequences that might follow its refusal to sign the treaty. She explained: “The consequences might be that we may have to forego foreign aid. We shall face all the consequences for the good of the country.” A New Delhi message says: About 80 countries including West Germany are likely to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in its present form, according to diplomatic sources here [Rae Bareli].