India`s position on intl terrorism vindicated at Summit: PM

Ajay Kaul
Washington, Apr 14 (PTI) India's Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh Tuesday said India's position about dangers of
"international terrorism and clandestine proliferation" had
been vindicated at the Nuclear Security Summit that recognised
the threat and committed 47 countries to prevent non-state
actors from obtaining atomic technology.
"The intersection of international terrorism and
clandestine proliferation affects our security directly. The
concerns that we have been expressing for decades on the
dangers of proliferation and risk of nuclear materials finding
their way into the wrong hands are today finding widespread
acceptance," Singh said after two-day Summit.
He noted that when India called for the total
elimination of nuclear weapons in the 1950s, its voice was not
heeded.
"Today the world is veering around to the vision we
had put forward of a world free from nuclear weapons. The
world is beginning to see merit in pursuing universal,
non-discriminatory and complete nuclear disarmament," he said,
adding India would continue to persevere in this direction.
"After listening to the world leaders at the Summit, I
feel a sense of vindication of India’s position," Singh said.
Welcoming the initiative taken by US President Barack
Obama to focus the attention of the international community on
nuclear security, he said it was an important issue for India
"because without ensuring security we will not be able to
harness nuclear energy for our developmental purposes."
He referred to his announcement to establish a Global
Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership, which will be owned and
managed by the Indian government, and said "the initiative is
the next logical step in India's engagement with the world
after the opening of international civil nuclear cooperation
with India."
After two days of deliberations in the backdrop of
particular concerns with regard to the safety of nuclear
material in Pakistan, the nuclear summit issued a three-page
'Communique' and a seven-page 'Work Plan' detailing the
national responsibilities and international obligations that
each participating country would have to undertake.
Significantly, it had no reference to Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty, which was a result of hard work by
Indian negotiators.
The Communique noted that nuclear terrorism was one of
the most challenging threats to international security and
"strong nuclear security measures are the most effective means
to prevent terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorised actors
from acquiring nuclear materials. (MORE) PTI