India is a responsible nuclear power: PM

25 October 2004

Kalpakkam: Launching the commercial phase of the country's fast breeder programme and the 500mw prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam, prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh declared that India was a responsible nuclear power, at a time when countries in the region were involved in the clandestine trade of nuclear technologies.

Announcing that India is fully conscious of the immense responsibilities that come with the possession of advanced technologies, both civilian and strategic, he said, "While we are determined to utilise our indigenous resources and capabilities to fulfill our national interests, we are doing so in a manner that is not contrary to the larger goals of nuclear non-proliferation."

According to him, the limitations of the present non-proliferation regime should not be further accentuated by artificial restrictions on genuine peaceful nuclear applications.

"Technology denial and closing avenues for international cooperation in such an important field is tantamount to the denial of developmental benefits to millions of people, whose lives can be transformed by the utilisation of nuclear energy and relevant technology," he added.

He also called upon other advanced nuclear powers to come together for a constructive dialogue to evolve more effective measures that would stem the tide of proliferation without unduly constraining the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.