PLEASE CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Statement by Ambassador Sujata Mehta, Permanent Representative of India to the CD Negative Security Assurances CD Plenary – June 12, 2012

Mr. President,

We join other colleagues in thanking you for this opportunity to outline our views on Negative Security Assurances. We also wish to thank you for providing the Conference the background on the issue which has been on the agenda of the Conference since 1979. The Final Document of SSOD-I underscored the need for nuclear weapon states to pursue efforts to conclude effective arrangements to assure non-nuclear weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

Mr. President,

Nuclear weapons pose the gravest danger to humanity and to international peace and stability. The best assurance against their use or threat of use is their complete elimination. India has been consistent in its support for global, verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament. We are committed to achieving the goal of a nuclear weapon free world at an early date.

In the absence of global nuclear disarmament, as part of our doctrine of credible minimum nuclear deterrence, India has espoused the policy of "No First Use" against nuclear weapon states and non-use against non-nuclear weapon states. We are prepared to convert these undertakings into multilateral legal arrangements.

Progressive steps for delegitimization of nuclear weapons are essential to the goal of their complete elimination. While we work towards this goal, measures could be taken to reduce nuclear dangers. Measures to reduce nuclear danger arising from accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons, increasing restraints on the use of nuclear weapons and de-alerting of nuclear weapons are pertinent in this regard. India's resolutions in the First Committee titled "Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons" and "Reducing Nuclear Dangers" give expression to some of these measures and have found support from a large number of countries. Our Working Paper CD/1816 tabled in the CD in February 2007 also suggested specific measures relevant to our debate today, including that for a Global No First Use Agreement and a Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons.

As part of the G-21 and NAM India has supported the conclusion of a universal, unconditional and legally binding instrument on security assurances to non-nuclear weapon states as a matter of priority. The negotiation of such an instrument will complement other measures to reduce the salience of nuclear weapons in security doctrines and improve the international climate for promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, we believe that non-nuclear weapon states have a legitimate right to be assured against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. We remain committed to work with other Members of the Conference towards the objective of the establishment of a subsidiary body to negotiate with a view to reaching agreement on effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

Thank you.