HVK Archives: The day after
The day after - The Times of India
Editorial
()
May 13, 1998
Title: The day after
Author: Editorial
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 13, 1998
Once the haze of euphoria induced by India's recent nuclear tests
lifts, one might begin to see the outlines of the reasons behind
the BJP-led government's dramatic decision as also its precise
timing. After all, Monday's tests only brought into the open a
recessed capability the world knew India already possessed. While
scientists and strategists can quibble over whether or not the
credibility of India's nuclear deterrent required testing, the
fact is that no test of a nuclear device by any country has ever
ended in failure. Thus, the Vajpayee government's decision could
not have been dictated by military necessity alone. Nor could it
have been compelled by the strategic desirability of India
shedding its nuclear ambiguity, something these columns have
argued in favour of in the past. The same end could presumably
have been achieved by a mere statement to that effect. Clearly,
by going for broke, the BJP wanted to make a political statement.
And judging by the immense outpouring of nationalism the tests
have evoked, the party can count on its popularity also
mushrooming. A government that was till the previous day being
criticised for having taken no major decision on the policy front
other than to warn of a "tough" budget - and which was virtually
under siege from within - has now earned for itself a definite
measure of support and stability.
Since the order for the Pokhran tests must have been issued soon
after Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee won his vote of confidence on March
28, it is tempting to surmise that the BJP was taking out an
insurance policy in the event of its having to face the
electorate again any time soon. While the technical ability to
conduct the tests has existed for some time, the Vajpayee
administration can and will take credit for the timing of Pokhran
1998. Now that the BJP has taken the momentous decision to grasp
the nuclear nettle, it must turn to exploring the various ways in
which the situation can be turned to the national advantage. The
response of the West, as hypocritical as it is fanatical, has
been to use the threat of economic sanctions to bring about a
reversal in India's policy. Any imposition of sanctions, however,
will be self-defeating because India has crossed the nuclear
Rubicon and the clock cannot be turned back. At least not until
the other five declared nuclear weapons powers, as well as
Pakistan and Israel, sit together with India to devise a way
collectively of ridding humankind of this menace. The sooner the
West recognises this fact, the better it will be for everyone
concerned. While the US reaction to India's tests has been along
predictable lines, it is galling for India to be hectored by
countries like Japan and Australia, which helped to legitimise
the cult of nuclear weapons by extending the NPT indefinitely and
availing of the comfort provided by the nuclear security blanket
of the US. New Delhi has now said it is willing to support
certain parts of the CTBT so long as there is "reciprocity". It
must go further and work towards the conclusion of a
comprehensive no-first-use agreement with both Pakistan and
China. If such an agreement were reached, the danger of a
damaging nuclear arms race could partially be averted and there
would be a palpable lessening of tensions in the region.
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