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Hosannas all over, but Pakistan demurs

Former defence minister K C Pant today described the three underground nuclear tests conducted at Pokhran range as ''courageous and historical''.

''The tests would add to the strength of the country not only militarily but also psychologically,'' Pant, who is the chairman of the task force set up to prepare a blueprint for the National Security Council, said.

He congratulated the team involved in the tests and said they deserve all the praise for this step.

Asked on the likely international reaction and the possibility of sanctions, Pant said, ''I believe every country has to do everything possible in the interests of its national security. The onus of what steps are necessary for the same is on us.''

Considering the presence of missiles and nuclear warheads around the country, Pant said the nuclear tests are in conformity with India's long-term national interests.

Former Union minister and the man behind the first nuclear test in 1974, Raja Ramanna, said he was "delighted and proud of the success" in the nuclear tests at Pokhran range today.

Reacting to the news, he said he had just heard the prime minister's address and was delighted and proud of the success. "I have no other details to say more," he added.

Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis director, Air Commodore Jasjit Singh said India has broken no international law or commitment by undertaking the nuclear tests at Pokhran.

Despite this, if the West imposes sanctions, ''it is welcome,'' Singh, who is a member of the task force set up to prepare the blueprint for the NSC said.

''Of course, America will seriously consider and apply sanctions. But we should get used to them. If they impose sanctions, they will also lose,'' he added.

All along the 24 years India has been observing restraint over nuclear issues and in return, ''all we got were sanctions.'' The West has been keen to reward those who were naughty. Though India should not attempt to be naughty, it should take all actions necessary for its national security, he said.

Expressing happiness over the tests, Singh said, ''Today has proved many of us right that India is capable of undertaking nuclear tests. It will put to rest all doubts whether we would be able to repeat the 1974 Pokhran performance,'' he added.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan on Monday strongly condemned India's three nuclear tests.

"Pakistan strongly condemns this Indian act and the entire world should condemn it. It has sucked Pakistan into an arms race," he said.

In Vienna, a spokesman for the International Atomic Energy Agency, David Kyd, said India gave no advance warnings of the nuclear tests. Since India is a not a member of the NPT, it is not obliged to submit their nuclear facilities to the IAEA inspection.

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