The Hindu : International / India & World : Natwar's proposal on nuclear doctrine innovative: Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 03, 2004

International

International - India & World

Natwar's proposal on nuclear doctrine innovative: Pakistan

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 2. Pakistan has said that the proposal mooted by the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, for a "common nuclear doctrine" among India, China and Pakistan was "new and innovative" and said it needed further and deeper examination.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman, Masood Khan said that the issue could be discussed at the meeting of India-Pakistan experts on nuclear confidence-building measures (CBMs) on June 19 and 20 and at the meeting of the Foreign Secretaries of both sides on June 27 and 28.

Indications are that Mr. Singh's proposal has come as a surprise as the consistent position taken by the Vajpayee regime to suggestions made by Islamabad for a strategic restraint regime was that India's defence preparedness was not Pakistan-centric.

Pakistan does not have a stated nuclear doctrine. However, the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, told a conclave organised by an Indian magazine in March that his country did have a nuclear doctrine. But, he did not spell out the details.

Observers say that Islamabad, an ally which calls itself an all-weather friend of China, would not make any commitment on the proposal without consulting Beijing.

At the talks on nuclear CBMs, Pakistan could reiterate its suggestion for a strategic restraint regime. Talks on nuclear CBMs are a follow-up to the road map for peace talks worked out by the Foreign Secretaries in February. Nuclear and strategic experts from both sides would meet to suggest ways to reduce risks of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons and discuss concepts and doctrines with a view to elaborating measures for CBMs in the nuclear and conventional fields as per the understanding in Lahore.

At Lahore, both Governments had committed to "take immediate steps for reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons and discuss concepts and doctrines with a view to elaborating measures for confidence-building measures in the nuclear and conventional fields, aimed at prevention of conflict."

Right now, the understanding between India and Pakistan on nuclear-related issues is confined to exchange of lists of installations and facilities on the first day of every year. Both sides also notify each other in advance about ballistic missile tests and military exercises.

Under the road map for composite dialogue finalised by the both the countries in February, the Foreign Secretaries would meet in May/June this year for talks on peace and security, including CBMs and Jammu and Kashmir.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Sunni body slams new Iraq Government

U.S. armymen fired at in Riyadh

Shaken expatriates rethink their future

Begin talks soon, donors tell Colombo, LTTE

`Chalabi compromised U.S. counter-intelligence'

Australian is Miss Universe

Kerry for reducing tension between India, Pakistan

Natwar's proposal on nuclear doctrine innovative: Pakistan

China silent

Indian charged with racial discrimination