India concerned over n-material falling into terrorists` hands

Ajay Kaul
Washington, Apr 10 (PTI) Concerned over nuclear
material in Pakistan falling into the hands of terrorists,
India will voice its apprehensions on the issue at the two-day
Nuclear Security Summit beginning here on Monday which will be
attended by Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh.
National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao are expected to articulate
India's concerns at the official-level meetings at the Summit,
which will be attended by 48 countries.
The sources said there is a risk of nuclear material
falling into the hands of terrorists, which is a matter of
serious concern for India.
The Summit, an initiative of US President Barack
Obama, will focus on dangers posed by clandestine
proliferation and illicit trafficking of nuclear material and
the possibility of terrorists acquiring atomic material.
Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said in New
Delhi that nuclear terrorism and proliferation of sensitive
technologies are "legitimate concerns" which require "firm
responses".
He emphasised the need for "highest standards of
security" in the nuclear field to reinforce public faith in
the benefit of atomic science.
At the Summit, Singh is expected to pitch for firm
response to the challenges of proliferation and possibility of
terrorists gaining access to nuclear material.
At the end of the two-day Summit, an outcome document
will be released wherein all countries will be giving
political commitment about the response to ensure that nuclear
material and arsenal are safe.
Sources said the situation in Pakistan may be
discussed when Singh meets Obama at the Blair House on Sunday.
The two leaders are expected to discuss Pakistan where
some important developments have taken place over the last few
days, with Constitution being amended to strip the President
of some sweeping powers.
However, Indian establishment is not impressed by
these developments as it feels that the military continues to
wield enormous influence and power in Pakistan, preventing it
to be a democracy in the real sense.
The sources said India will face problems like access
to the establishment, dealing with problem of terrorism and
understanding what Pakistan is doing in Afghanistan. PTI