The Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, has again expressed India’s concern over what he called the feverish accumulation of sophisticated weapons by Pakistan and its nuclear program encouraged by certain big Powers.
Mr. Gandhi was replying to the two-day discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Friday on the working of the Ministry of External Affairs.
He assured the members that there will be no compromise on _ India’s security. Mr. Gandhi said that despite India’s best efforts to improve relations with Pakistan that country has inducted sophisticated weapons adding to the tension in the region.
He expressed unhappiness that an exception has been made by some major Powers (without naming) in the case of Pakistan by delinking economic and military aid to it from its nuclear program. We take it as a direct help to Pakistan in its nuclear program’ Mr. Gandhi said.
Earlier, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Khursheed Alam Khan, suggested that Pakistan should not pursue the policy of acquisition of arms and should not have any apprehension of aggression from India. He said the massive arms buildup by Pakistan is not for her legitimate defense.
He said the main stress of India’s foreign policy is lowering of tension, strengthening of world peace, ensuring disarmament and cooperation and friendship with neighboring countries.
Mr. Khan said the Prime Minister’s initiative to improve India’s relations with neighboring countries should not be looked with suspicion. He said the intention is to develop cordial relations and to ensure peace and cooperation with neighbors.
He regretted the remarks made by the Sri Lankan President Mr. Jayewardene in Pakistan recently that he supports the self-determination rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the President should not have made these remarks.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 17, 1985
