HVK Archives: Emergence of a world leader
Emergence of a world leader - Organiser
Editorial
()
May 24, 1998
Title: Emergence of a world leader
Author: Editorial
Publication: Organiser
Date: May 24, 1998
By conducting five nuclear tests, including d thermonuclear
device and two sub-kiloton tests, India has demonstrated her
capability for a weaponised nuclear programme. The tests have
also ensured that India has the computer simulation technology
developed indigenously and seemingly at a much lower cost by
international standards. The achievement is not a 'borrowed
glory' and the scientists concerned deserve kudos for the new
feather in their cap. The demonstration was necessary for various
reasons. The most important among them was to tell the five
nuclear powers that although India had not conducted a test since
1974, our research in this field could match achievements by them
and that now India should not be regarded as a non-nuclear weapon
state. For the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition Government,
the tests have both domestic and international implications. As
stated by the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, Shri Brajesh
Mishra, "these tests provide reassurance to the people of India
that their national security interests are paramount and will be
promoted and protected", the BJP-led Government has ensured that
it means business in implementing the National Agenda for
Governance. The euphoric domestic response shows the popular
backing the Government enjoys in this regard. These tests would
also help India in playing a more effective role as a world
leader, which the country of this 'magnitude deserves but was
somehow not recognised by the West. The tests have amply
demonstrated that India has the necessary guts to defy the
partisan regimes imposed by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Importantly, India was
one of the first countries that had mooted the idea of nuclear
disarmament way back in 1953 and "was in the vanguard of nations
that ushered in the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963 due to
environmental concerns". In 1974 and even now India adhered to
that treaty by conducting the nuclear tests underground. She is
also a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the
Biological Weapons Convention demonstrating her firm commitment
to any global disarmament regime that is non-discriminatory and
verifiable. The indefinite extension to the NPT in 1995, however,
without any firm commitment to nuclear disarmament, especially by
the five nuclear weapon powers, only reinforced the concerns that
nuclear disarmament is not likely to be pursued by the weapon
states in any meanings way in the foreseeable future and that
these powers were interested only in perpetuating their nuclear
hegemony over the world. Moreover in our part of the globe,
clandestine transfer of nuclear technology and tacit support of
weapon-states to any move against India has been going on for a
decade or so if not earlier. The provocative postures of some
neighbouring countries and its cascading effect-diplomatically or
strategically-on the Indian morale, necessitated that India
should give a firm and bold message to the world community that
she cannot be bowed down by the dictates of the nuclear powers.
At the same time, India's assurance f fruitful co-operation for
mutual benefit" to friendly-neighbouring countries, makes it
evidently clear that India does not want to assume an imposing
posture. As for the response of the world community,
strategically, India does not have to lose much as she has
necessary wherewithal to defend herself The recent scientific and
technological achievements have re-confirmed this capability.
Economically, India may have to suffer a little but as the
equations stand, the effect has to be minimal. The Government's
intention to further liberalize the economy and open up the
market, poses a tough challenge before the US and the West to
impose any permanent sanctions against India. In face of the
falling South Asian economies, India emerges as a major market
for the industrialized nations and the importance of it could not
be ignored. The fallouts notwithstanding, the N-tests and the
unanimous overwhelming support amply shows that at the fall of
20th century India has awaken and stands erect under the
leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee to
enter into new role of vibrant and powerful nation in the 21st
century.
Back
Top
|
