International nuclear order cannot be "discriminatory": India

Betwa Sharma

United Nations, Sep 27 (PTI) India on Sunday welcomed
the renewed global push for achieving a world free of atomic
weapons but underlined that the international nuclear order
cannot be "discriminatory".

"India attaches the highest priority to the goal of
nuclear disarmament and has an impeccable non-proliferation
record. We welcome the renewed global debate on achieving a
world free of nuclear weapons," External Affairs of India
Minister S M Krishna said while addressing the 64th session of
the United Nations here.

"The international nuclear order cannot be
discriminatory. Further, States must fulfil the obligations
they have undertaken," he said in the backdrop of pressures on
non-NPT signatories to join the pact. India is not a signatory
to the NPT yet.

The United Nations Security Council resolution piloted
by US President Barack Obama this week asked all non-NPT
signatories to join the treaty as non-nuclear weapon states
but India, which views the treaty as flawed and
discriminatory, has refused to accept it.

However, Krishna said India was committed to a
voluntary and unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing.

"We remained committed to a voluntary, unilateral
moratorium on nuclear testing," he said, adding that India
will continue to engage with key countries to garner greater
international understanding to achieve nuclear disarmament.
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