End of Cold War Thinking a Prerequisite for Nuclear Weapon Free World: Manmohan Singh

April 02, 2014

New Delhi: Suggesting that “best guarantee for nuclear security is a world free of nuclear weapons” Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh today pointed out that the right way of doing so is by bringing “an end to the cold war thinking”. Dr Singh was delivering the inaugural address at the International Conference on ‘A Nuclear Weapon Free World: From Conception to Reality’, organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and the Indian Pugwash Society, on April 2-3, 2014.

Dr Singh urged for “an agreed multilateral framework” involving nuclear states, with a “focus on practical measures that reduce nuclear dangers by minimising the salience of nuclear weapons in security doctrines.” He added that if all states possessing nuclear weapons come together, “we can quickly move into the establishment of a global no first use norm.” In many ways this can open the way to gradual reduction and finally the elimination of nuclear weapons through a Global Nuclear Convention.

“As a responsible nuclear weapon state that remains committed to non-proliferation, India supports the idea of a nuclear-weapon-free world because we believe that it enhances not just India’s security, but also global security”, insisted the Prime Minister.

He recalled how India had offered to host the first conference on this important theme in 1957. However, due to political developments, the conference had to be organised in Pugwash in July 1967. “India was then, just as it is now, uniquely placed to raise its voice for a world free of nuclear weapons.” He said.

“India is the only country that demonstrated its capacity in 1974, but maintained nearly a quarter century of restraint before the harsh security environment and events, both global and closer home, obliged us to test in 1998 and declare ourselves a nuclear weapon state,” said Dr Singh. “But we remained convinced that a nuclear weapon free world would enhance our security. Consequently our nuclear doctrine lays emphasis on credible minimum deterrent and in no first use policy. Most importantly the doctrine reiterates India’s continued commitment to the goal of a nuclear weapon free world,” he added.

While strengthening Nuclear Security, India also maintains its objective of promoting safe and secure expansion of civil nuclear energy and other developmental benefits that nuclear science and technology offers, noted Dr Singh. “We are targeting an expansion of our nuclear energy generation capacity to more than 62,000 mega watts by 2032”, which is based on three-stage nuclear programme, with additional security features incorporated, said the Prime Minister.

Speaking about the existing nuclear facilities in India, the Prime Minister said that “the safe operation of nuclear power plants is of the highest importance to us”. Evaluation of comprehensive safety measures are undertaken periodically at all the nuclear plants and out outcome of these evaluations is discussed openly with a view to enhance transparency and developing public confidence, he insisted.

Also present on the occasion was National Security Advisor, Shri Shivshankar Menon, who while acknowledging the apt time of the conference in wake of rising global uncertainty, said “all times are good times to discuss a nuclear weapons free world.”

The two-day conference brings together 26 experts from renowned centres of knowledge and learning, including Australia, China, France, India, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, UK and the US. They come together to review progress on global nuclear disarmament, analyse nuclear risks and threats, address challenges to achieving a nuclear weapon-free world, and finally, explore the pathways leading towards this goal.