Genesis
India's External Affairs minister K. Natwar Singh’s idea of a common nuclear doctrine for India, China and Pakistan is a concept that has its genesis in Rajiv Gandhi’s action plan for complete nuclear disarmament (mooted at the UN General Assembly on June 9, 1988, the Rajiv Gandhi Plan aimed at a binding commitment by all nations to eliminate nuclear weapons in stages within a practical and realistic time-frame.)
"The plan has been brought up-to-date (by Singh’s Cabinet colleague Mani Shankar Aiyar) and remains a valid document.
The need for a 'common doctrine' was expressed by Natwar Singh in his first press conference after assuming charge. Singh’s remarks were are an affirmation of the consistent Indian support for a nuclear-free world. It was suggested that the Congress-led government did not believe in N-apartheid. He said that "there are no first or second-class nuclear powers. India is for total elimination of nuclear weapons from the face of earth".
Some of the comments he made in the course of the interaction were marked by deep insights into the protracted international disputes, and were in the nature of sharing perceptions on key issues on which policies might evolve following discussions in the Cabinet.
Also it was stated that serious matter relating to national security were not to be trivialised. Officials sought media cooperation in treating vital foreign policy matters with the seriousness they deserved.
{{/usCountry}}Also it was stated that serious matter relating to national security were not to be trivialised. Officials sought media cooperation in treating vital foreign policy matters with the seriousness they deserved.
{{/usCountry}}The CMP promised to evolve "demonstratable and verifiable confidence-building measure with neighbours" while maintaining a credible nuclear weapon programme.
And, it seeks India to take the lead in promoting universal, nuclear disarmament and working for a nuclear-weapons free world.