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![Protestors demonstrate outside the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in Tokyo, Japan, March 11, 2013. People demonstrated outside the TEPCO on the 2nd anniversary of 2011 earthquake, during which Fukushima nuclear plant of TEPCO had a nuclear accident. They asked for compensation to Fukushima residents and protested against the reopen of nuclear plants [Xinhua]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/208465108_8.jpg)
Protestors demonstrate outside the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in Tokyo, Japan, March 11, 2013. People demonstrated outside the TEPCO on the 2nd anniversary of 2011 earthquake, during which Fukushima nuclear plant of TEPCO had a nuclear accident. They asked for compensation to Fukushima residents and protested against the reopen of nuclear plants [Xinhua]
The First Committee of the 193-member UN General Assembly that deals with disarmament and international security issues approved a draft resolution yesterday urging all member states that had not yet done so to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Prior to approval of that draft as a whole, votes were polled on provisions, by which the Assembly would call on all those countries that have not joined the NPT to accede to it as non-nuclear weapon states.
India, along with North Korea and Israel, voted against the resolution.
164 nations voted in favour of the resolution.
“India’s position on the NPT is well-known. There is no question of India joining the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state. Nuclear weapons are an integral part of India’s national security and will remain so, pending non- discriminatory and global nuclear disarmament,” said an official Indian statement explaining the vote.
By another provision in the resolution, the Assembly would stress the fundamental role of NPT in achieving nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and urge India, Israel and Pakistan to promptly accede to the Treaty as non-nuclear- weapon states and place all their nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.
The provision was also approved by a recorded vote of 163 in favour with India, Israel, the US and Pakistan voting against.
In its explanation of vote, India said it remains committed to the goal of complete elimination of nuclear arms. “We are concerned about the threat to humanity posed by the continued existence of nuclear weapons and their possible use or threat of use. India also shares the view that nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation are mutually reinforcing. We continue to support a time-bound programme for global, verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament,” it said.
Earlier last month, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott inked a civilian nuclear deal with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi. India and Australia had begun talks on the nuclear cooperation agreement in 2012.
The Australian decision, although geared to fight the energy poverty in India, has been criticised for circumventing the NPT and severely weakening it.
The US administration had imposed sanctions on Delhi after its 1998 nuclear bomb tests. The tests confirmed India as a nuclear power and led neighbouring Pakistan to follow its lead.
Later in 2005, however, the US had overturned its decision and agreed to aid India’s civil nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, Iran, which is a signatory to the NPT ratifying the global accord, had accused Western countries of double standards while dealing with India’s nuclear ambitions. Last month, a UN monitoring agency said Iran is yet to fully address all nuclear concerns, in a further setback to international agreement over its nuclear program.
TBP and Agencies
