Shyam Saran

NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said on Friday evening that India would have to pay a price, like it did in 1998, if it decided to depart from its voluntary moratorium and conducted another nuclear test.

Speaking at the India Habitat Centre almost a year after the July 18 joint statement with the United States was issued, Mr. Saran said the government of the day would have to take a decision in its supreme national interest if India had to conduct another nuclear test.

On the civilian nuclear cooperation understanding with the U.S., the Foreign Secretary, who returned from Paris on Friday morning after talks with his American counterpart Nicholas Burns, said that New Delhi had delivered on its commitments under the July 18, 2005 joint statement.

Pointing out that the U.S. was now engaged in adjusting its domestic laws to enable civilian nuclear cooperation with India, Mr. Saran said India could not undertake any obligations beyond the July 18 joint statement and the March 2 separation plan.

Admitting that there could be references in American legislation that would be "unpalatable" to India, he stressed, "While making our views quite clear, we must focus on what is essential."

"When we assess the legislation, we should scrutinise carefully the binding provisions that will find their way into the 123 agreement [bilateral accord with the U.S.] and [the] safeguards arrangement [with the International Atomic Energy Agency]," Mr. Saran said.

He rejected the contention that India's plan to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities would erode the "vigour" of the country's strategic deterrent.

Arguing that the July 18 joint statement reflected New Delhi's determination to put behind it an "era of defensive diplomacy," he stated: "If India is to become a credible candidate for permanent membership of the [U.N.] Security Council, we must adjust our traditional positions.

"We cannot duck the difficult issues of the day and display an aversion to risk-taking. July 18 is, in some ways, an effort to usher in a change in mindset."

He said the U.S. was clearly the "pre-eminent power" of our times. "There can be no argument that better relations with the U.S. are in our national interest. It is our largest trade partner, investor and technology source. Equally important, as the pre-eminent power, the U.S. helps shape global sentiment."

While listing "six key developments" that merged to create the basis for the July 18 joint statement, Mr. Saran said: "Our record and our worldview give no cause for apprehension in any quarters. At the same time, there is no reason to remind us that we have an obligation to the world ... "

Pointing out that there were "strong security convergences" between India and the U.S., the Foreign Secretary claimed that, politically, stronger bilateral relations would also have a positive impact on third countries.

"Domestically, India is seeking to leapfrog in its development process. In foreign policy, we require adjustments in the international order so that our aspirations can be accommodated. A stronger relationship with the U.S. can offer benefits on both fronts," he added.

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