Across the table in Geneva, Indian negotiators offer three objections to the treaty. Second, India says signing the treaty would tie its hands in responding to threats from its two unfriendly neighbors, Pakistan and China. We are committed to taking all steps necessary to enable us to cope with any threat. Third, India is upset that the five declared powers would be allowed to keep their nuclear arsenals intact. Taking the high moral ground, New Delhi insists it will not sign a treaty unless it is part of a plan for global nuclear disarmament.
Analysts say India's real objection to the treaty is rooted in domestic politics.
All India's major parties oppose the test-ban treaty, as do most of the country's leading newspapers. For the new and somewhat shaky coalition government of Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda to push against the tide would be political suicide. Last month Christopher met with Gujral in Jakarta to argue the case in person. But the Foreign Minister had not moved a centimeter. If there are efforts to push forward such a draft, we will have to oppose them.