India-U.S. Nuclear Pact Will Not Hinder Nuclear Weapons Program, Indian Prime Minister Says

The signing of last week’s civil nuclear cooperation agreement between New Delhi and Washington does not compromise Indian national security, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today (see GSN, July 26).

“The basis of this understanding was a clear recognition of India as a responsible nuclear power with [an] impeccable record in nuclear nonproliferation,” Singh said in a statement to the lower house of Parliament.

“There is nothing in the joint statement that inhibits or hinders our strategic nuclear weapons program,” he said.

“We expect the same rights and responsibilities as other nuclear powers,” said Singh (Indo-Asian News Service, July 29).

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