PUNE, Sept 8: While India's nuclear tests in May have unsettled the world, disarmament is not on the agenda of the five nuclear states and it is unlikely in the near future, stressed K. Subrahmanyam, defence consultant, at a discussion on `Nuclear India and the world' held this morning at the University of Pune.The meet also stressed the need for India to have a clear nuclear policy and planning with disarmament as the final objective and nuclear weapons as an insurance against an uncertain future.``The nuclear powers are not prepared to accept a time limit on disarmament, or a treaty for mutual no-first-use or even a suggestion that arsenal can be reduced further,'' said panel speaker Subrahmanyam. He said nuclear powers were putting together more sophisticated weapon systems. He also expressed fear that the Russian situation may lead to nuclear weapons falling into the wrong hands. The Big Five were targetting India for criticism instead of concentrating on this situation, he added.Air Commodore (Retd) Jasjit Singh, director, Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, stressed upon the need for defence preparedness if India decided to arm itself with nuclear weapons. He emphasised India's need for nuclear capability in air, on sea and land.Manoj Joshi, defence analyst, said the Centre had little information to impart on the country's nuclear policy. ``Perhaps the Government is still overwhelmed by the response to the tests,'' he said. He called for a nuclear doctrine which would provide clarity for all. He also criticised the reluctance of politicians to involve the armed forces in decision making. ``Whether it is chemical weapon missiles or strategic weapon systems, there is a complete iron curtain between the defence services and the administration,'' he stressed.
