India is a responsible N-power: Manmohan

NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh yesterday said India was a responsible nuclear power and ready to cooperate with like-minded countries against proliferation of nuclear weapons.


At the same time, he also called for a fight against any efforts at technology denial in the attempts to create a peaceful environment.

"We are a nuclear power... a responsible nuclear power. We have declared no first use," he said, highlighting India's role as a responsible nuclear power.

Manmohan Singh, who was addressing the 2004 batch of Indian Foreign Service probationers, said India underscored the need to block any unauthorised proliferation of nuclear weapons. "India is ready to cooperate with like-minded countries in this regard. In securing a favourable international environment we should fight against any efforts of technology denial," he asserted.

Mentioning the role of state and non-state actors in promoting terrorism, the prime minister reiterated the need for sustained struggle against terrorism while dealing with other problems like disease, poverty and inequality.

Manmohan Singh regretted that India-Pakistan ties had hampered regional cooperation and hoped for a new relationship with Islamabad and a sustained effort to resolve outstanding bilateral problems.

"There is a growing realisation that our countries are missing out the great potential that exists for economic and social cooperation between India and Pakistan.

"So far, India and Pakistan relations have proved to be the stumbling block in carrying forward the processes of regional cooperation."

In Madurai, Dr Singh inaugurated work on the Rs24.27 billion Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project connecting the eastern and western coasts of India through the shortest possible waterways amid boycott by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha and protests by fishermen and environmentalists.

Allaying fishermen's apprehensions that the project would cut into their livelihood, Singh pressed a button that started dredging at a site off point Calimere coast in Nagapattinam district, 250km away from here.

Singh also announced the government's decision to set up a 'world-class' automobile testing facility near Chennai, which he said would attract huge investments both directly and indirectly.

"It will give a boost to Tamil Nadu's already developed automobile sector. Let Tamil Nadu be a rival to Detroit in future", he said.

Addressing the 2004 batch of IFS probationers at his residence, he said India was ready to cooperate with like-minded countries in this regard.

"We are nuclear power, .... A responsible nuclear power. We have declared no first use," he said.

On the issue of economic diplomacy overcoming the problems with India's neighbours, the Prime Minister said there were large number of economic complimentarities and such processes cannot be stopped.

"There is a growing realisation that our countries are missing out the great potential that exist for economic and social cooperation between India and Pakistan," he said.





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