|
Remarks by Special Envoy of Prime
Minister Shri Shyam Saran at the Global Zero Summit
03/02/2010
We welcome this historic summit on ‘Global Zero’ and the resounding
reaffirmation it represents of the goal of a world free of nuclear
weapons. When first proposed, ‘Global Zero’ was indicative of the high
hopes and aspirations the world-over for nuclear disarmament. This
Summit comes at an opportune moment, when there are fresh doubts
emerging whether this is indeed a credible goal. Even the four
distinguished statesmen who, in 2007, played such a significant role in
putting nuclear disarmament back on the international agenda, seem to be
now lowering expectations in their most recent op-ed.* It’s not that
something new is being said by them. It seems to me, however, that the
emphasis has unmistakably changed, back to the importance of maintaining
a robust nuclear posture. We hope that this Summit will enable us to
keep our eyes on the ball and not be deflected from the goal that we all
seek. Otherwise, there is likely to be confusion about our commitment to
nuclear disarmament and a perception that this is more about further
restricting and limiting the access of non-nuclear weapon states, in
particular developing states, to civilian uses of nuclear energy, under
the guise of strengthening non-proliferation.
Let me acquaint you with India’s thinking on Global Zero, taking into
account our own national and then the region al perspective, though it
may be noted that it is difficult to confine the security interests of a
country like India to arbitrarily defined regional settings. First,
while India is a nuclear weapon state, it is the only such state to
declare unequivocally that, in its perception, its security will be
enhanced and not diminished in a world free of nuclear weapons. This is
important because it lends credibility to our consistent advocacy of
nuclear disarmament and our willingness to engage, without delay, in
multilateral negotiations on a Nuclear Weapons Convention prohibiting
the development, production, stockpiling and the use of nuclear weapons
and on their time-bound destruction, leading to the global,
non-discriminatory and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons.
Second, pending the realization of the above objective, India has taken
steps to underscore its commitment to nuclear disarmament and contribute
to confidence-building. India has publicly adhered to a policy of
non-first use of nuclear weapons and to the non-use of nuclear weapons
against non-nuclear weapon States. Despite our well-known reservations
on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, India is committed to its
voluntary unilateral moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. We are
prepared to negotiate a verifiable FMCT in the Conference on Disarmament
in Geneva. We are not a Party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
and cannot respond to calls for universal adherence to that Treaty as a
non-nuclear weapon State. Nevertheless, India has impeccable and
universally acknowledged credentials on non-proliferation. It is in
recognition of India’s unmatched non-proliferation record over the past
more than half a century that it was possible to persuade the United
States and the 45 member States of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to
re-engage with India in international civil nuclear commerce under an
India-specific Safeguards agreement with the IAEA. India will continue
to conduct itself as a responsible and prudent member of the
international community and make its own contribution to promoting
non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.
Let me now turn to the regional perspective. It should come as no
surprise to this distinguished gathering that India’s perceptions are
influenced by the current state and the history of developments in our
neighborhood and the larger theatre of Asia-Pacific as they pertain to
nuclear issues.
One, India’s security has been adversely impacted by the clandestine
proliferation of nuclear weapons in its neighbourhood, often ignored and
on occasion, encouraged by certain important countries. The activities
of the so-called A.Q.Khan network is an ominous reminder of the threats
India continues to face in this respect.
Two, India is deeply worried about the potential nexus between
clandestine proliferation and terrorism and the ever-present danger of
such weapons or vulnerable nuclear materials falling into the hands of
Jehadi and non-State actors. While this is a specific threat to India,
it also threatens the security of all States. India has welcomed the US
initiative to host the Nuclear Security Summit in April this year.
However, over the long term, it is also our view that it is only through
the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and by putting in place
universally applicable, non-discriminatory and fully transparent
verification procedures, that we can fully prevent and deny nuclear
materials from falling into dangerous hands.
Three, it is apparent that the centre of gravity of political and
economic power is now shifting towards the Asia-Pacific region. With
this shift, it is only to be expected that military capabilities and
security assets, gain a higher profile in our region. While India
welcomes the lead taken by the US and Russia in reducing their nuclear
arsenals, we must remain mindful of security trends, including relating
to the improvement, accretion and deployment of strategic armaments, in
the Asia-Pacific region. This should be of concern to the international
community as well, as we move with practical steps towards Global Zero.
India has welcomed President Obama’s speech in Prague re-dedicating the
US to the goal of nuclear disarmament. We look forward to the
implementation of the bold steps that President Obama outlined,
including his commitment that the US would reduce the role of nuclear
weapons in its national security strategy. We await steps the US &
Russia intend to take in significantly reducing their nuclear arsenals.
We also await the necessary steps that the other nuclear-weapon States,
who are Party to the NPT and committed to the goal of nuclear
disarmament, intend to take in this regard. India will be prepared to
join in efforts to realize the goal of Global Zero in a manner
consistent with its security interests as part of global,
non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament. But, as I said earlier, India
remains convinced that its security will be enhanced, not diminished in
a world free of nuclear weapons, a vision that was so eloquently
articulated by the late PM Rajiv Gandhi in his historic address to the
UNGA in 1988.
In the context of Global Zero, the question of time-frame has been
referred to and an appeal has been made to realism to argue for a
gradual and phased approach. It has been stated that nuclear disarmament
is a place on a high mountain which is not yet visible, and the journey
to that place is going to be long and arduous.
I believe that this reality must be set against two other competing
realities which compel a more urgent time frame. Firstly, we all
recognize that as long as there are states which continue to possess
nuclear weapons, there will be other states who will aspire to possess
them as well. The Global Zero Action Plan has talked about the world
being near a “proliferation tipping point” – beyond the capacity to rein
it in. So how do we deal with this reality?
Secondly, there is the link between terrorism and proliferation – so
starkly brought out in the excellent movie which we saw yesterday. This
is an escalating danger and will not be put on hold, while we take our
time to achieve Global Zero. In any case, nuclear weapons cannot
credibly deter non-state actors or jehadi groups from using or
threatening the use of clandestinely acquired nuclear weapons, even if
it is a crude one.
Therefore, I think it would be useful if this movement highlighted these
realities as well, in order to reinforce the argument for urgency.
I commend the hosts of this Meeting for bringing together this galaxy of
leaders to focus international efforts for Global Zero. I am confident
that the deliberations here will add to the international debate,
mobilize and sustain political will and help in moving the international
community towards the global elimination of nuclear weapons.
Paris
February 3, 2010 |
