India elated as NAM slams Big-5 for monopoly

The foreign ministers sharply condemned nuclear weapon states for maintaining their atomic arsenals without any justification in the post-cold war era and called for elimination of nuclear weapons within a time bound framework.

Pakistan, which lobbied intensely against India8217;s nuclear tests, received a severe blow when the declaration did not mention India8217;s Pokharan blasts.

Indian diplomats were successful in convincing an overwhelming majority of delegates that Pokharan tests did not pose any threat to the international community and that these were necessary in view of security environment in the region.

While calling for elimination of weaponsof mass destruction including nuclear and landmines, the NAM foreign ministers reaffirmed the inviolability of peaceful nuclear facilities, saying attack or threat of attack poses a great danger to human race and environment.