TOKYO, PT I: India on June 24 made it clear that it would not sign the nuclear Non-Prolifcation Treaty (NPT) and instead proposed a time-bound Eliminating of all nuclear weapons and a commitment by nuclear threshold states not to make atom bomb.
The Indian prime minister, P.V Narasimha Rao said there should be no nuclear weapons on the face of the earth; This could be achieved only when the nuclear states agreed to dismantle all nuclear states within a specific time-frame. Besides those states which are on the verge of becoming nuclear should agree not to cross the threshold, he said,
Ruling out India’s signing the NPT, which he said was discriminatory, the prime minister told a crowded press conference, “it is not the time for signing the NPT but for reviewing it” : Rao said a review of the NPT was necessary to plug the “loop| holes, correct it and make it foolproof” and reminded that the present NPT was due for a review: in 1995 and preparatory work On it has to start in a year.
He said all countries should start discussing how the review could be done and what modifications to make.
He had a breakfast meeting with two former prime ministers, held discussions with the trade, commerce and finance ministers, and had an audience with Emperor Akihito.
With the conclusion of his official and business level talks here, the prime minister is leaving for Osaka Thursday morning on the second leg of his five day visit.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 3, 1992
