(a) whether the Government are aware that successive Directors of Central Intelligence of U.S.A. have stated that the Indian sub-continent represents the area which will lead to Nuclear Weapon use;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government have made their own assessment of the situation in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to protect the citizens from possible nuclear conflicts?
THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANT SINGH)
(a),(b) Yes Sir. Government has followed carefully the reports in the US Congress submitted by CIA Directors on the situation in India`s neighbourhood, particularly arising out of possession of nuclear weapons by India and Pakistan.
(c),(d) & (e) Government constantly reviews all developments and is committed to taking all necessary steps, including the maintenance of a minimum credible nuclear deterrent, to safeguard the nation`s security in accordance with its own assessment . India had proposed to Pakistan various Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the nuclear field during Prime Minister`s visit to Lahore. In the context of President Musharraf`s recent visit to India, Government`s commitment to engage in bilateral consultations with Pakistan on security concepts and nuclear Confidence Building Measures was reiterated.