'India's N-safety record better than many'

The record of safety and security of India's N-programme was much better than that of several advanced countries, Jaswant Singh said.

The record of safety and security of India's nuclear programme was much better than that of several advanced countries, said Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh.

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"It is internationally recognised that management of our nuclear programme and its safety and security are much better than all or several of the so called P-5 countries," he told reporters when asked about the recent revelation of nuclear technology proliferation from Pakistan.

Singh said External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha had already given India's view on nuclear proliferation from Pakistan describing it as having wider ramification.

The Finance Minister favoured opening of Munabao-Khokharapar train route between India and Pakistan through the Thar desert saying it would benefit people living in Rajasthan and Kutch region of Gujarat who have to travel about 5,000 km to go to their relatives living across the border at a distance of 100 to 15 km only.

"The opening of the route will depend on agreement between the two countries and talks are on in this regard," he added.