India to raise issue of safety of Pak's nukes at summit

In the backdrop of fears about terrorists gaining access to nuclear material, leaders from 47 countries, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Monday assembled in Washington to discuss ways to ensure that such a scenario was averted.

At the two-day summit, which is an initiative of United States President Barack Obama, India is expected to voice its concern over the safety of Pakistan's atomic arsenal. Ahead of the Summit, Obama had said that terrorist organisations like Al Qaeda are aiming at laying their hands on nuclear weapons, which would be catastrophic for the world.

"The central focus of this nuclear summit is the fact that the single biggest threat to US security, both short term, medium term and long term, would be the possibility of a terrorist organisation obtaining a nuclear weapon," Obama told reporters.

Dr Singh is expected to pitch for strong commitments by individual countries and firm responses by the global community against proliferation.

While the prime minister may not directly refer to Pakistan in this context, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao are expected to raise concerns regarding the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenals at the official-level meetings. Dr Singh is expected to share India's apprehensions about terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

The summit will focus on dangers posed by clandestine proliferation, illicit trafficking of nuclear material and the possibility of terrorists acquiring atomic material. Ahead of his visit, the prime minister said nuclear terrorism and proliferation of sensitive technologies are 'legitimate concerns' which require 'firm responses'.

He underlined that India has been a consistent advocate of complete and universal global nuclear disarmament. "We were among the first countries in the world to call for a world free of nuclear weapons. I am encouraged by the fact that this approach is finding greater resonance today," he had said, adding that India will continue to call for more meaningful progress in this direction.

He also emphasised the need for 'highest standards of security' in the nuclear field to reinforce public faith in the benefit of atomic science.

Noting that nuclear energy was poised to play a growing role in addressing the developmental challenges of the present times, he said, "This will be possible only if we, as individual nations, and as a global community ensure the highest standards of security which reinforce public faith in the benefits of nuclear science."

He pointed out that India was an important stakeholder in this global endeavour. Dr Singh is also likely to propose setting up of an International Nuclear Safety Centre in India.

India sees the summit and its associated preparatory process as important elements in strengthening international resolve to cooperate on nuclear security and supporting the expanded use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.