No plans to sign along the dotted line: Jaswant

“Government’s stand continues to be same what it has been and what Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had stated in the United Nations General Assembly,” he said.

Singh, who was replying to a question on the outcome of Indo-US strategic talks, categorically stated that India has made it clear that it will not be guided by anybody in defining its nuclear deterrent.

“We shall define our own nuclear deterrent on the basis of our own assessment. It will not accept any suggestion from outside as to what the minimum deterrent should be. It will be according to altering security requirements based onour own assessment,” he said.

Asked whether the US has accepted India’s status as a nuclear power, he said “India is a nuclear power and this is a fact and the facts cannot be disinvented. This has been made clear to the US.”

The Minister said the talks were being conducted on the basis of comprehensive proposals that India put forward on disarmament and non-proliferation matters, namely a unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests, willingness to discuss converting it into a de jure obligation, decision to enter into constructive negotiations on the Fissile Materials Cut-off Treaty and reaffirming India’s policies on stringent control on export of sensitive technologies.

Singh said the discussions with the US have narrowed and are now focussed on four issues related to security, disarmament and non-proliferation namely CTBT, FMCT, Indian defence posture and export control issues.

He said it has been decided that Indian-US expert level teams will meet in March for follow up talks on exportcontrols. The leaders of the delegation will also remain in contact, he said.

He said while these talks would continue, both sides will endeavour to create a positive atmosphere for furthering their relations. The Minister said India having harmonised its national imperatives and security obligations with the international community is now engaged in discussions with key interlocutors on a range of issues including CTBT.

“We are prepared to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion so that the entry into force of the CTBT is not delayed beyond September 1999,” he said

The Minister said the next round of talks is envisioned towards the middle of this year, the date and venue to be determined in consultation with the two sides.