The Socialist International condemns the nuclear tests which were carried out by India. These tests have serious implications for regional and global security and constitute a strong setback for international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.
Recalling India's previous long-time engagement in the struggle for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, we call upon India to adhere unconditionally to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). We also call upon Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint.
The SI recalls that the nuclear-weapon states have undertaken, at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference, to pursue with determination systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of eliminating these weapons.
The nuclear-weapons states should now take their arsenals off alert and remove nuclear warheads from their delivery vehicles. It is simply not acceptable that some states keep subjecting the international community to the continuous dangers of a possible nuclear weapon launch by mistake.