So what was happening about -15- 10 years ago? Well, the UNSC was adopting Resolution 1172 in response to New Delhi and Islamabad’s nuclear weapons tests.
The full text is “here”:http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N98/158/60/PDF/N9815860.pdf?OpenElement, but it’s worth pointing out that the council demanded that the two countries “refrain from further nuclear tests” and “become Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty without delay and without conditions.”
The resolution also called on Islamabad and New Delhi
bq. immediately to stop their nuclear weapon development programmes, to refrain from weaponization or from the deployment of nuclear weapons, to cease development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and any further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, to confirm their policies not to export equipment, materials or technology that could contribute to weapons of mass destruction or missiles capable of delivering them and to undertake appropriate commitments in that regard
One other interesting provision that I had forgotten about concerns the question of whether India and Pakistan could be nuclear-weapon states. Unsurprisingly, the answer is “No”:
bq. in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons India or Pakistan cannot have the status of a nuclear-weapon State.
Oh, the resolution also encouraged other countries to
bq. prevent the export of equipment, materials or technology that could *in any way* assist programmes in India or Pakistan for nuclear weapons or for ballistic missiles capable of delivering such weapons, and welcomes national policies adopted and declared in this respect.
Interesting, given “recent events.”:http://www.totalwonkerr.net/1699/nsg-approves-india-exemption
Here is Article 25 of the “UN Charter,”:http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/ if anyone cares:
bq. The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter.
Yes, it’s a Saturday, but it’s raining outside and I _could_ be playing World of Warcraft, so leave me alone…
15 years ago? India detonated its first nuclear weapon in 1974, which is 34 years ago — a third of a century. Later, India and Pakistan both tested in 1998, which is 10 years ago. I’m not sure where you’re getting the number 15 from.
yes. its quite interesting. you may also be aware that the NSG was founded as a response to Indian nuclear tests (the smiling buddha).
but why have this dual standards? Why should some nations impose on other nations their choice of having nuclear power? Although I am for nuclear disarmament, you should understand that a country that isnt a nuclear power can be invaded by another power with little actual opposition by world countries (eg: Iraq, Georgia). In such situations, each country has a right to protect its citizens (which might involve developing nuclear tech).
Now you might ask me, why the dual standard on India and Pak…. well.. its just because nuclear secrets have leaked out of Pak, shockingly, by the founder of its nuclear program. But honestly, I dont think it is Pak that is in the equation. Indians now mostly have an ambivalent attitude to Pak which in turn loathes Indians. Reason being India is leading economically, militarily and in social rights. It is china. China has nuclear weapons. China has certain undemocratic stands. The US move is to check the growth of China. (PS: Indians cant stand Chinese since the last time they were backstabbed in the IndoChina war).
10 years. Well-spotted. Too much blogging in one afternoon.
Paul, any specific reason why you feel that Indians don’t have the right to possess nuclear weapon, whereas Americans and English can?
It’s a biased view, and contradict the “every one is equal irrespective of their ethnic and other origins” philosophy. Don’t you think so?