There can be differences in a democracy but on vital matters of national security we are all together. This shows that the Government was concerned about these developments. Meanwhile, the great powers continued stockpiling nuclear weapons and did not heed our calls for a time-bound elimination of nuclear weapons and tried to impose a discriminatory treaty on us. We decided together not to sign the CTBT and keep our options open. In addition to what we learnt later, inputs came from consultations with scientists on what steps to take.
Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction.
They are meant for self-defence. Let us adversaries now that we have them and that they should not dare attack us. In 50 years, this country which has always given the message of pace and has never sought anybody's territory has been attacked thrice. A nation of 100 crores cannot depend on charity for its national security. We are for friendship but on the basis of justice and mutual respect.