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Journalism of Courage
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today that the country is prepared for the broadest engagement with the international non-proliferation regime, but only if its indigenous nuclear and strategic programme is not tethered to outside restrictions.
At an awards event this morning, Singh said, ‘‘India is willing to shoulder its share of international obligations as a partner against proliferation, provided our legitimate interests are safeguarded.’’
The country is ‘‘conscious of its responsibilities deriving from the possession of advanced technologies’’, he said. ‘‘We have illustrated our commitments to these responsibilities, through Parliament passing the WMDs and their Delivery System Prohibition of Unlawful Activities Bill.’’
‘‘India will not be a source of proliferation of sensitive technologies. We will adopt the most stringent measures to safeguard and secure the technologies we possess or those we acquire,’’ the PM said, adding that these concerns should not be a barrier to high-technology trade. ‘‘The strict regulation of external transfers and tight control to prevent internal leakages should give confidence to international suppliers of high technology items that their supplies will remain fully secure with us.’’
‘‘In the defence field and nuclear field, our strategic programmes are indigenous…Nor can they be the subject of externally imposed constraints. Within these parameters, India is prepared for the broadest possible engagement with the international non-proliferation regime,” he said.
