India on Tuesday said that nuclear proliferation is the biggest security threat facing Asia and the country does not wish to see the emergence of “additional weapon states” as it would endanger international security. “We do not wish to see the emergence of additional nuclear weapon states, for it will only further endanger international security. And our goal continues to be a world free of nuclear weapons,” said External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee at the 10th Asia Security Seminar organised by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in the capital. However, speaking to media persons at the sidelines of the function, the minister clarified that he was not referring to any particular nation including Iran. Mukherjee also built a case for global nuclear disarmament by saying that India is ready to play its part in “the process leading to global, non-discriminatory and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons.”The External Affairs Minister warned that proliferation is not limited to new states acquiring nuclear weapons but “extends to the very real threat of terrorist groups laying their hands on nuclear material and even fully assembled nuclear weapons.”By referring to both the fears of proliferation and the need for disarmament, Mukherjee’s statements are seen to be setting the tone for the Indo-US nuclear deal by signaling that India is a responsible nuclear state that is ready to meet international commitments. “We have signalled our willingness to be a part of the international consensus by adopting a comprehensive WMD Export Control legislation. We have also harmonised our export control lists with those prescribed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and Missile Technology Control Regime,” the minister said, reiterating that India has held a principled position promoting disarmament and non proliferation. In an apparent reference to disgraced Pakistani scientist A Q Khan’s network, the minister said that the proliferation problem has risen party due to failures of states in exercising adequate control over its personnel engaged in nuclear projects. “It is well known how transfer of uranium enrichment technology, equipment and even weapon design has taken place clandestinely and flagrantly in our region. Even more alarming is the interest shown by radical terrorist groups in acquiring nuclear material and technology and the linkages that they had forged with a few nuclear scientists,” Mukherjee said. In another apparent reference to Pakistan, whose nuclear weapons security has been facing international scrutiny, the Minster said that the inability of states to safeguard nuclear material and technology is also a major security concern.
