India for global deal on 'no-first-use' of atomic weapons

India on Monday, advocated a new global, verifiable nuclear disarmament framework which includes "no-first-use" of atomic weapons and "non-use" against non-nuclear weapon states.

Speaking at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao pledged India's long-standing commitment to global, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament.

"We have identified some initiatives that I believe could be explored further as building blocks of a new global, verifiable nuclear disarmament framework. These include: a global agreement on 'no-first-use' of nuclear-weapons and non-use against non-nuclear weapon states," she said.

In addition, India's proposal includes measures to reduce nuclear danger through de-alerting, reducing salience of nuclear weapons in security doctrines and preventing unintentional or accidental use; a Nuclear Weapons Convention prohibiting development, production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons and on their destruction etc, she said while speaking at the 3rd MEA-IISS seminar on 'Perspectives on Foreign Policy for a 21st Century India'.

"We feel encouraged by some recent positive steps. President (Barack) Obama's administration has signalled US willingness to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in its nuclear strategy and to work towards a nuclear weapon free world. The renewed debate underway on this issue harmonises with our long held positions," Rao said.

President Obama has convened a nuclear summit in April this year which would be attended by several world leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Foreign Secretary also expressed concern over the clandestine nuclear proliferation in India's neighbourhood.

"We are naturally concerned about the possibility of nuclear terrorism. We have, therefore, taken the lead at the UN General Assembly on an effective law-based international response including on Weapons of Mass Destruction terrorism. "We believe that the Nuclear Security Summit in April 2010 hosted by President Obama will be an important milestone in our efforts to build international cooperation to prevent nuclear terrorism," Rao said.

"We must instead work together with our partners to help reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation," she added. She also said that India was aware that concerns are voiced over the possible proliferation dimension in the use of nuclear energy.

"This should, however, not deter us from pursuing the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. India is fully cognizant of the safety and security implications arising from the expansion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy," she added.