Question : NUCLEAR WEAPONS FREE AND NON VIOLENT WORLD ORDER .

to the reply given to Unstarred Question No.8051 on May 17, 2000 and state:

(a) whether India co-sponsored a resolution calling for the commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament for a Convention on the time-bound elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction;

(b) if so, whether the draft resolution makes any reference to the Action Plan for a Nuclear Weapons Free and Non-Violent World Order presented to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Disarmament in 1988; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)

(a) India`s resolution on `Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons` calls for the Conference on Disarmament to commence negotiations in order to reach agreement on an international convention prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. The resolution also notes that such a convention would be an important step in a phased programme towards the complete elimination of nuclear weapons with a specified framework of time.

(b) The idea of a phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons in a specified framework of time is integral to the 1988 Action Plan for a Nuclear Weapons Free and Non-Violent World Order. A Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons is part of Phase-I of the programme contained in that Action Plan.

(c) Does not arise.