Leadership hailed for N-test decision

CHANDIGARH, June 15: "Chances of war between India and Pakistan have diminished," according to Major General Rajinder Nath (retd.) Speaking on Indian Security in Nuclear South Asia, at a meeting of the Bharat Vikas Parishad here, the general complimented the present leadership for taking the decision to conduct nuclear tests, which he felt would actually reduce chances of an armed conflict as well as enhance Indian capability of becoming a world power in 21st century.

Air Marshal R. S. Bedi who presided over the discussion disagreed. He said that USA’s long-term geo-political and geo-strategic interests exacerbated the tension and the arms race between India and Pakistan and predicted that Indo-Pak tension would increase after the tests, adding that Pakistan may try to foment more trouble in Kashmir.