(a) whether a UN-sponsored international conference to review nuclear non-proliferation was held at New York recently;
(b) if so, the details and outcome thereof;
(c) the stand taken by India at the conference;
(d) whether the five nuclear powers refused to accept a time table for the total elimination of their nuclear arsenal; and
(e) if so, the Government`s reaction thereto?
MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANT SINGH)
(a), (b) The 6th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) was held in New York from 24th April - 20th May. The work of the Conference was organised around three Main Committees on Nuclear disarmament, Safeguards & Nuclear Weapon Free Zones and on Nuclear energy and peaceful applications. A subsidiary body on `regional issues including with respect to Israel` was set up under the second Main Committee. The Conference adopted a final document.
(c) As in the past and consistent with our position on the treaty, India did not participate in the Conference.
(d) & (e) The final document of the Conference has a reference to an `unequivocal undertaking` on nuclear disarmament and some practical steps to further nuclear disarmament under Article VI of the treaty. There is, however, no substantive change in the position of the NPT nuclear weapon States on nuclear disarmament. Government`s position on this issue was stated by the External Affairs Minister in Parliament on 9 May 2000.