PM to pitch for strong commitments against nuke proliferation

Ajay Kaul
Washington, Apr 12 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh is expected to raise pitch at the Nuclear Security
Summit here Monday for strong commitments by individual
countries and firm responses by international community
against proliferation, amid fears about terrorists gaining
access to atomic material.
Singh will join leaders of 46 other countries in
discussing mechanisms to strengthen global initiatives for
securing nuclear material and installations.
The Summit is taking place amidst increasing
apprehensions and concerns about the possibility of Pakistan's
nuclear arsenal and material falling into the hands of
terrorists.
While the Prime Minister is unlikely to directly refer
to Pakistan in this context, Indian National Security Adviser
Shivshankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao are
expected to raise concerns regarding Pakistan at the
official-level meetings.
Singh is expected to pitch for firm response to the
challenges of proliferation and possibility of terrorists
gaining access to nuclear material. He is expected to share
India's apprehensions about terrorists acquiring weapons of
mass destruction.
During the official-level deliberations, India will
raise concerns about the possibility of terrorists gaining
access to nuclear material in Pakistan.
The summit, an initiative of 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 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.
Noting that nuclear energy was poised to play a growing
role in addressing the developmental challenges of the present
times, he said, "This will be possible only if we, as
individual nations, and as a global community ensure the
highest standards of security which reinforce public faith in
the benefits of nuclear science."

He pointed out that India was an important stakeholder
in this global endeavour.
Talking about India's well developed and indigenous
nuclear energy programme, which dates back six decades, Singh
said, "We have an impeccable record of security, safety and
non-proliferation which reflects in our conduct as a
responsible nuclear power."
The Indian Prime Minister underlined that India has been
a consistent advocate of complete and universal global nuclear
disarmament.
Singh is also likely to propose setting up of an
International Nuclear Safety Centre in India.
India sees the summit and its associated preparatory
process as important elements in strengthening international
resolve to cooperate on nuclear security and supporting the
expanded use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. PTI AKK
PRS