India should not sign CTBT

Surjit blamed the BJP led coalition government for escalating tensions between the two countries by triggering nuclear tests.

He asked the Union government to take initiative for “no first use” treaty on nuclear weapons with Pakistan in order to restore confidence among the Indians following nuclearisation of the sub-continent

.Surjeet said the highly emotional speech of the Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif, after the nuclear tests yesterday, was a clear indication of the kind of tension prevailing between the two countries.

He said Atal Behari Vajpayee’s contention that Pak tests had vindicated the earlier nuclear tests by India was a “farce”.

Blaming the Indian government for initiating the current atmosphere of tension between the two countries, Surjeet said the “unnecessary tensions” would only prove detrimental to the economy of the country. The CPM leader said India should take initiative in starting a dialogue with Pakistan to create an atmosphere of peace and goodwill following the blasts.

He said Indo-Pak relations had to be improved and both countries should “seriously” announce moratorium on further nuclear tests.

Charging the Bharatiya JanataParty-led government of having undone all the spade work of previous United Front government in improving relations with the neighbours, Surjit said India’s nuclear capability was well knownto the world even before the blasts and no further tests were required.He feared the the Kashmir problem might aggravate with the nuclearisation of the sub-continent and the hard earned peace in Punjab might be breached.Surjeet said the Bharatiya Janata Paryt government’s

reckless policy had destroyed India’s image of a peace loving country. He said both India and Pakistan had used the nuclear tests as a diversion from the pressing domestic political and economic issues.