N Korea's nuclear test could jeopardise US-India deal: Brahma Chellaney

09 October 2006

North Korea has conducted its first nuclear test. Defence strategist, Brahma Chellaney believes that the nuclear test may jeopardise the US-India nuclear deal.

He further adds that the nuclear test will have major regional and international impact and could encourage Iran to adopt a hard-line stance on developing its own nuclear capabilities. CNBC-TV18 shares with domain-b its interview with Chellaney:

What is your reaction to the N Korean nuclear tests? Is North Asia likely to become a hotspot?
The North East Asia was already an international hotspot. North Korea, in particular, was feeling quite cornered and quite isolated especially because the Bush administration was pushing the doctrine of "regime change".

In addition, the six-party talks on North Korea had collapsed nearly a year ago. There was an increased feeling in Pyongyang that if they did not play the only card that they have right now, which is the nuclear card, the regime in Pyongyang would go, the way Saddam Hussein's regime went in Baghdad. So they decided to play this last card that they have.

Do you see any further heightening of tension, other than maybe a temporary one, in the next couple of weeks?
This particular test, which happened this morning, will have major international and regional repercussions. Regionally, it will make things very difficult for Japan, which has been going through a phase of renewed political assertiveness in recent years. It will certainly provoke Japan to come out of its pacifist cocoon, there is no doubt about that.