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Disarmament DiplomacyIssue No. 46, May 20002nd Anniversary of India TestsSpeaking in New Delhi on May 11, India's Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, marked the second anniversary of the nuclear tests ordered by his Government. In upbeat vein, Vajpayee observed: "There was much criticism from some global powers at the time but the situation has changed dramatically in two years… Today the entire world has a better appreciation of our action. … After two years India is recognised, both internally and externally, as a much stronger nation. There is a new wave of pride and self-confidence among our people. On this occasion, I assure the international community that even as we retain our minimum credible nuclear deterrent, we shall continue to vigorously strive for global disarmament. … It is extremely disheartening [that] in the past two years the established nuclear powers have not moved in the direction of disarmament…" Vajpayee added: "We had full knowledge that, had India not conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, our neighbour would certainly have done so."Report: India marks nuke anniversary, says it's stronger, Reuters, May 11. © 2000 The Acronym Institute. |