India warns Obama on nuclear test ban treaty

[Aziel]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - India on Monday warned it would oppose the UN treaty banning nuclear tests, calling it disciminatory, despite President Barack Obama's hopes that the United States will ratify it.

Shyam Saran, India's special envoy on nuclear issues, conceded on a visit to Washington that the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) could prove to be a "contentious" issue with the new US administration.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/09032...apons_treaty_1

Quite interesting. I don't think there is any reason India (or Pakistan, China, Israel, Russia etc') will sign such treaty.

[Modern Crusader]

The UN doing something incredibly stupid? Not really news.

[Shi Huangdi]

Obama is a foreign policy illiterate, and besides that, a ban on nuclear tests won't do any good if there isn't the threat of real military force to back it up. The UN is all talk and no action.

[Martin N]

Obama is a foreign policy illiterate, and besides that, a ban on nuclear tests won't do any good if there isn't the threat of real military force to back it up. The UN is all talk and no action.

Quite funny coming from someone who supports israel, you know why there is no action ? Because the usa vetos every damn resolution wether it be on weapons testing or on israel, and you know it.

[Shi Huangdi]

Quite funny coming from someone who supports israel, you know why there is no action ? Because the usa vetos every damn resolution wether it be on weapons testing or on israel, and you know it.

And what good will a resolution against weapons testing do, even if it is passed? Do you really think the UN will immediately call for military force to be used against Iran or North Korea if they test nukes? Of course not; it'll be more "diplomacy", "give them another chance", and stuff like that.

[ShADoW]

Please dont get Israel involved into this thread.

[Martin N]

Please dont get Israel involved into this thread.

Im not, im getting the 100% devoted loyalty of america to israel involved, if its against or something to do with israel you can guarantee there will be a veto, that is the whole reason for the uns failure, no if and buts.

[MaryPoppinCaps]

If only such treaties were possible.

[Nouvelle Vague]

Saran said that if "the world moves categorically towards nuclear disarmament in a credible time-frame, the Indo-US differences over the CTBT would probably recede into the background."

What on earth is there left to test on? why not pollute and destroy every last remnant of what this earth once looked like.

disciminatory

Thats a pretty lame argument guys, besides possibly (North Korea apparently testing one) not sure if anyone else is really gunning to do the same.

The damn things kill few people as it is, better improve em!

[Martin N]

North korea is launching a satelite into space, its just a launch vehicle for it, they probably want to be able to use the technology to fire the missiles itself., via a satelite

[Alkarin]

North korea is launching a satelite into space, its just a launch vehicle for it, they probably want to be able to use the technology to fire the missiles itself., via a satelite

second cold war anyone?

[alhoon]

Exactly. And that's the point of it IMO.
To add diplomatic pressure and perhaps get something in return when (inevitably) USA stops asking for such a treaty. Something more like "OK, we won't push for this treaty but you will so and so instead." And India whatever you may think, has much to offer to USA.
USA is using diplomatic tricks instead of bombs to achieve its goals and that's a great progress IMO. Of course the treaty is useless, Obama knows as much. Still there is something to gain by NOT passing the treaty.
Also if the (actually void) treaty passes, there is diplomatic pressure to be added on countries that care about their image and standing in the UN. With Pakistand and India looking forward on the UN for solving/helping them with their disputed province problems they need the "good marks". So, it's a very smart move from your president.

[Arjun]

India is not a signatory of the test ban treaty (CTBT)so it need not follow it.

furthermore; India would be stupid to accept such a treaty when the 5 veto powers have done hundreds of nuke tests and THEN made the treaty. Its like running a race and then declaring it over even before others have started it. lol

but most of the world did sign the treaty so they are bound by it. but not India, Pakistan , NK and Israel

[Heinz Guderian]

The US, Russia, France and UK can test newly developed nuclear weapons in the lab without having to conduct a live nuclear test. India has not reached this capability yet so it views the CTBT as an unfair advantage to others. If the US transferred this new testing ability to India, India would sign the same day.

[Carach]

indian-american relations have not gotten off to a good start with Obama's administration.

infact id say obama has made horrendous errors in foreign relations in general since he took office.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...uilding-05321/

so the defence market is pretty important when it comes to the international relations scene. and the US seems intent to further damage its ties to close allies and/or those it had been looking to improve relations with.

this nuclear ban thing is also a bit of a pisstake.

[Heinz Guderian]

infact id say obama has made horrendous errors in foreign relations in general since he took office.

wanting to ban the testing of nuclear weapons can only be a good thing.

[Carach]

wanting to ban the testing of nuclear weapons can only be a good thing.

well sure, my comment was just a general observation

[alhoon]

indian-american relations have not gotten off to a good start with Obama's administration.

infact id say obama has made horrendous errors in foreign relations in general since he took office.

Strange. Anti-American protests in my country have been decreased dramatically in Greece and as my sister from Italy tells me, Italian people have also less anti-American than a year ago.
As far as I get it from the news I read and people I speak with abroad, the world has a better disposition in regards to USA with Obama on the wheel.
I can't speak about their goverments though. But public opinion affects goverments to some degree.

[TSD]

Strange. Anti-American protests in my country have been decreased dramatically in Greece and as my sister from Italy tells me, Italian people have also less anti-American than a year ago.
As far as I get it from the news I read and people I speak with abroad, the world has a better disposition in regards to USA with Obama on the wheel.
I can't speak about their goverments though. But public opinion affects goverments to some degree.

Yeah just about everybody in the world likes Obama except the British and Americans. Europeans and Hippies elected our president. I would like to take this time to say thanks for ruining our lives so you can have a better opinion of America, personally I don't care what the world thinks of america, anything good we do for the world goes un noticed and we are out right hated for any mistake, so normally whenever I hear foreigners dislike the US, I generally just extend my middle finger more.

BTW this isnt directed at the person i quoted, its just a general rant.

[Babur]

indian-american relations have not gotten off to a good start with Obama's administration.

infact id say obama has made horrendous errors in foreign relations in general since he took office.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...uilding-05321/

so the defence market is pretty important when it comes to the international relations scene. and the US seems intent to further damage its ties to close allies and/or those it had been looking to improve relations with.

this nuclear ban thing is also a bit of a pisstake.

Well Obama opposes the outsourcing of American jobs overseas which also worries India.