United Nations:
India on Monday underlined the require for the international neighborhood to spend closer consideration to the illicit proliferation of networks of nuclear weapons, their delivery systems, elements and relevant technologies.
Addressing the UN Security Council Briefing on Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, held beneath the Irish Presidency, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the Council that India has actively supported and contributed to the strengthening of the worldwide nuclear safety architecture.
India is committed to the purpose of a nuclear weapons-absolutely free world and total elimination of nuclear weapons, constant with the highest priority accorded to nuclear disarmament by the Final Document of the First Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Disarmament (SSOD-I),” he stated.
Mr Shringla stated India believes this purpose can be accomplished by way of a step-by-step procedure underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed worldwide and non-discriminatory multilateral framework, as outlined in India’s Working Paper on Nuclear Disarmament submitted to the UN General Assembly in 2006.
India participated in the Nuclear Security Summit procedure and has consistently participated in the International Conferences on Nuclear Security organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). India is also a member of the Nuclear Security Contact Group.
“There is a need for the international community to pay closer attention to the illicit proliferation of networks of nuclear weapons, their delivery systems, components and relevant technologies,” he said.
“Without prejudice to the priority we attach to nuclear disarmament, India has expressed its readiness to support the commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT)” in the Conference on Disarmament on the basis of the mandate contained in CD/1299, he said, adding that in this context, India has also participated in the work of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on FMCT and the High-level Expert Preparatory Group (HLEPG) on FMCT.
As per the CD/1299, the Conference on Disarmament decides to establish an ad hoc committee on a “ban on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices”.
The Conference directs the Ad Hoc Committee to negotiate a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and correctly verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
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