The Indian initiative in Geneva on the other hand emphasises this aspect in its seven-step approach to a world without nuclear weapons. These seven steps are: (1) Reaffirmation of unequivocal commitment of all nuclear weapon states to the goal of complete elimination of nuclear weapons. (This is also the objective of the four US statesmen.) (2) Reduction of the salience of nuclear weapons in the security doctrine. (3) Adoption of measures by nuclear weapon states to reduce nuclear danger, including accidental nuclear war, de-alerting of nuclear weapons. (This is also one of the proposals of Schultz and his associates.) (4) An agreement on no first use of weapons by nuclear weapon states. (This crucial delegitimisation measure does not feature in the proposals of the four US statesmen.) (5) A negative security assurance in an international agreement not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. (This also does not figure in the Schultz-Kissinger-Nunn-Perry initiative, perhaps because such a declaratory assurance already exists. But there are also threats of the use of bunker-buster tactical n-weapons against non-nuclear states.) (6) Convention on complete prohibition of use and threat of use of the weapons. This is an extension of no first use to no use. (7) Convention prohibiting development, production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons and on their destruction. (Perhaps this is implied in the vision of a world without nuclear weapons of the four statesmen but is not spelt out as a step.)

India has also suggested to the Conference on Disarmament the appointment of a special coordinator to assist in carrying out consultations on specific measures that have the potential of commanding consensus which can form the basis of a mandate for a possible Ad-hoc Committee on Nuclear Disarmament. It is clear that Indian thinking on moving towards a world without nuclear weapons, going back to Rajiv Gandhi, is broadly parallel to the proposals of the US statesmen except in the crucial respect of delegitimisation as an initial step. The initiative of the four US statesmen is primarily addressed to the American administration.

... contd.