External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh on Tuesday suggested a common nuclear doctrine between India, China and Pakistan to bring peace and stability to the region and the world.
A former career diplomat who served in China and Pakistan, Singh addressed his first press conference after assuming charge. His idea of a common N-doctrine underscored the new Government's policy of cooperation rather than confrontation.
Singh's proposal is aimed at projecting India as a responsible nuclear power, checking the arms race in the region, promoting nuclear risk-reduction and addressing the international community's Pakistan-inspired concerns over Kashmir being a nuclear flashpoint.
It remains to be seen how Pakistan reacts, especially when it does not subscribe to a no-first-use policy as a deterrent against India's conventional military superiority.
"We should work out a common nuclear doctrine. It's a matter that needs to be dealt with on a priority basis. It's not a question of scoring points with anyone. It is to ensure that all inherent dangers disappear," Singh said. But he clarified that the proposal would need to be given a formal shape before it is discussed with Beijing and Islamabad: "We will try and convince them in a friendly spirit. It's essential for all the three countries to speak the same language on nuclear issues."
"The NDA regime under which we crossed the nuclear threshold did not take up the issue. The UPA wants a mechanism for nuclear risk-reduction as it affects the security of the entire world," Singh said. He reassured Pakistan about the Government's commitment to a bilateral dialogue.
{{/usCountry}}"The NDA regime under which we crossed the nuclear threshold did not take up the issue. The UPA wants a mechanism for nuclear risk-reduction as it affects the security of the entire world," Singh said. He reassured Pakistan about the Government's commitment to a bilateral dialogue.
{{/usCountry}}Insisting that the 1972 Simla pact was the bedrock of bilateral ties, Singh said the new regime would work on positive policies: "We are conscious of the changing realities in our region and will be guided as much by the Lahore declaration (as) the Islamabad statement."
Singh also said national security adviser JN Dixit would soon meet his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo in New Delhi as India's special representative.