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Vajpayee calls for 'progressive denuclearisation'

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today called for ''progressive denuclearisation'' of the world, asserting that any nuclear regime to be effective had to be comprehensive, global and non-discriminatory.

''A nuclear weapons convention rests on this,'' Vajpayee said in an interview to the Russian newspaper, Trud.

Asked about the negative reaction in the world to India's nuclear tests, he said India was committed to exercise the most stringent control on export of nuclear or missile-related materials, technology, equipment and knowhow.

The prime minister said India was willing to participate in negotiations aimed at the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons in the world. ''We have proposed the conclusion of a nuclear weapons convention which would be global, comprehensive and non- discriminatory,'' he added.

Asked under what conditions India could sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and whether New Delhi was willing to participate in negotiations on the Fissile Missile Control Treaty, Vajpayee said the current nuclear proliferation regime was discriminatory and flawed.

Vajpayee said India was prepared to convert its moratorium on nuclear tests into a formal commitment after discussions with key interlocutors. ''We are also ready to participate in negotiations aimed at concluding a fissile material cut-off treaty,'' he added.

UNI

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