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India firm on 'no first use' of nuke weapons

National security advisor and principal secretary to the prime minister, Brajesh Mishra has said that India would ''stick to 'no first use' of nuclear weapons but would go all out if any attempt is made against it''.

In an interview to Star News , Mishra said, ''India is satisfied with the G-8 statement calling for the withdrawal of armed intruders and restoration of the status quo ante of the Line of Control.

''Today's statement approaches in many respects what the US has been saying unilaterally on its own accord... even though Pakistan has not been named ... But the international community knows that it is Pakistan which has been sending in intruders, not India. They are being called upon to withdraw and respect the LoC in future,'' he said.

He said as far as the Kargil operations were concerned, India did not restrain its armed forces on the LoC because of any pressure from the international community. ''It was a national decision... The international community appreciated it,'' he said.

''If Pakistan does not withdraw, the fighting will escalate,'' he added.

About the economic fall-out of the war, he said, ''As far as financial costs are concerned, we can bear them more than Pakistan.''

He said India would like to continue its dialogue with Pakistan after the Kargil conflict was over.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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