Nuclear Issues

1. India-Russia Cruise Missile Program

Nuclear Issues

Indian and Russian defense scientists successfully tested the jointly produced PJ-10 medium-range cruise missile. The anti-ship weapon has a range of 280 km.
"India, Russia successfully test cruise missiles"
"India, Russia test cruise missile"
"India, Russia test cruise missile"

India

An Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman stated that Canada's receiving the visit of a Ministry Secretary, R.S. Kalha, suggests that Canada intends to ease economic sanctions against India imposed after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests. Kalha has met with Canadian officials as well as the Indian community there.
"Canada easing economic sanctions against India"

The Jang cited a report in which an Indian official said that India was ready to consider a natural gas pipeline from Iran that ran either underwater or overland across Pakistan, and that India had dropped its objections to a link through Pakistan. Pakistan supports the overland route because it would bring much needed revenues, as well as savings in energy costs. A feasibility report is due to be completed on the issue in July.
"India ready to consider gas pipeline via Pakistan"
"India, Iran offer Pak peace pipe(line)"
"Gas pipeline: Iran may help overcome Pak. concerns"
"Pak ready to allow pipeline project"

The Hindu reports that India has decided to allow Iran to cope with the issues raised by passing the pipeline through Pakistan. Analysts, states the article, are waiting to see what sort of effect cooperation over energy resources between India, Iran and Pakistan would have on the Muslim world.
"India's energy diplomacy"

An external affairs ministry spokesman brushed off remarks by Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar, who said that it was time for Pakistan and India to move towards normalization of relations by moving out of the "time warp" of the last five decades. The spokesman said India had not been in a time warp and had always been prepared for productive dialogue.
"We have never been in 'time warp', India tells Pak"

The Times of India reports that it will be Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee who picks the dates of the visit by Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf. Vajpayee is apparently looking for a date after July 9 but before parliament returns on July 23.
"PM to decide dates for Musharraf visit"

K. Subrahmanyam argues in the Times of India that the Pakistani corps commanders who are the real power in Pakistan now have no doubt determined that the reason India has extended an invitation to Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf to visit is because international conditions are now supportive of an Indian initiative. Pakistan has accomplished little under Musharraf because of the international isolation, but the Indian offer creates the opportunity to rejoin the international community.
"Invitation to Peace"

A Ministry of External Affairs spokesman stated the Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India. The spokesman said, "The external affairs minister was not giving his personal views or simply making a statement. He was reiterating the provisions of the Constitution of India." On May 28, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh had said, "The whole of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral component of India." Pakistan has described Singh's statement as "regrettable."
"India firm on Kashmir stand before summit"
"Kashmir an integral part of India: Govt"
"India says Kashmir its integral part"
"New Delhi repeats stance on Kashmir"

Steve LaMontagne, with the US-based Council for a Livable World, argues in The Hindu that any benefits India may see from a stronger relationship with the US would be eroded by the long-term consequences of a US missile defense system. He argues that the PRC would increase the size and capability of its nuclear arsenal and would be less likely to keep its promises on non-proliferation agreements. LaMontagne argues that these PRC policy choices would undermine India-PRC relations and force increased Indian spending on defense.
"NMD will slow India's rise"

Madhavan K. Palat writes in an editorial in the Times of India that the PRC joined Russian opposition to US missile defense, which reinforced the Russian position without the PRC receiving anything in return. Palat argues that neither Russia nor the PRC can afford to enter into an arms race. Therefore, while Russia may be in slow decline, India-Russia economic and defense relations will continue to improve as Russia has little alternative. Palat states that a PRC arms race could force India to recalculate its minimum deterrent, but any increased proliferation to Pakistan will result in increased US pressure upon the Pakistani military, which also benefits India.
"The NMD Opportunity"

An editorial in the Times of India argues that the end of the Cold War has made it possible for India to both obtain weapons systems from Russia and have a growing political relationship with the US. The editorial also argues that India's reaction to US President Bush's speech on missile defense did not mention missile defense, and that India remains opposed to abrogation of the 1972 ABM Treaty.
"Defence Diplomacy"

The six members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, formerly known as the Shanghai-Five grouping of China and four Central Asian states and now joined by Russia, agreed in a statement signed by the six countries' foreign ministers that the 1972 ABM Treaty was the "cornerstone of global stability and disarmament." The members also agreed to establish a joint anti-terrorism center in Kyrgyz. PRC President Jiang Zemin stated that the joint statement, "lays a legal foundation for the joint efforts to combat forces of separatism, terrorism and extremism."
"China, Russia, Central Asia unite against missile defence"
"China, Russia sign accord to fight militancy"
"China, Central Asian states back ABM treaty"

Indian Foreign Secretary Chokila Iyer will lead an Indian delegation that will meet with Russian officials in Moscow on June 25 for intensive talks on the situation in Afghanistan.
"India, Russia to hold talks on Taliban"

PRC Ambassador to India Zhou Gang stated that India and the PRC do not have a fundamental difference of opinion, but do have differences on some issues. Zhou also stressed that "neither poses any threat to the other."
"'China, India do not pose threat to each other'"
"'China, India pose no mutual threat'"

Delegations from India and Bangladesh met to discuss the recent border incident. They decided that one working group would focus on the 6 km of undemarcated border while a second would focus on the 53 Bangladeshi enclaves in India and the 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh.
India, Bangladesh border talks begin
"BSF to befriend locals on Indo-Bangla border"
"India, Bangla begin talks on boundary dispute"
"India, Bangladesh hope for successful border talks"
"India, Bangla finalise terms for panels on border dispute"

The government of Nepal and the Indian embassy there both denied that Nepalese Prime Minister Koirala had called Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and informed him that he was worried that the Nepalese regicide was a military coup. Reports had earlier indicated, states the Times of India, that Vajpayee had offered Koirala military assistance.
"India denies Nepal sought help"

Pakistan

The Hindu reports that the Pakistan's budget for FY2001-2002 unveiled by Pakistan Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz keeps spending flat for defense-related expenditures, an effective cut considering Pakistan inflation of 4.5 percent. Aziz stated that the "sovereignty" and the "credible deterrence" of Pakistan would not be compromised.
"Pak. reduces defence outlay"

The World Bank's board of directors approved a $350 million structural adjustment credit for Pakistan. This loan will be made under the softer criteria of the Agency for International Development, has a ten-year grace period and will be repaid over 30 to 35 years. A World Bank official was quoted by the Times of India as stating that additional loans could be granted this year if Pakistan "stays on course towards political, social and economic recovery."
"World Bank okays $350 million loan"
"Pakistan gets $350 m World Bank loan"

A senior Pakistani official stated that Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf would be conducting consultations with political groups, religious leaders and intellectuals before his upcoming summit with Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee in India. The officials said that Musharraf wanted to develop a consensus about the summit before going.
"Musharraf to consult leaders on summit"

Pakistan Major General Rashid Qureshi, press secretary to Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf, stated that Pakistan was prepared to show flexibility over Kashmir, but argued that looking to the Lahore agreement would be analogous to taking two steps backward. Qureshi stated that the Indian government appears sincere in its offer of talks, but that neither side should say something that will make the other's stance rigid.
"We are flexible on Kashmir, says Musharraf aide"
"India Sincere in Inviting Musharraf: Pak"

Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said the government and the people of Pakistan "will be very content... if the two leaders have a meeting of minds with regard to the destination and the directions and the modalities of reaching that direction." Sattar stated that he did not think they would achieve an agreement in two days.
"'Musharraf going to India with positive spirit'"
"Sattar hopes for 'useful' dialogue with India"

Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf spoke positively about the summit and stated to the media in Pakistan that he was going to India with "an open mind" to "change history." He said, "The chances of moving forward have never been brighter than they are now." He also said, "Kashmir is my agenda. Discussions on the eight other points without Kashmir is not acceptable." He also referred to the summit as "the unfinished agenda of partition." He also said that it was "regrettable" that Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh stated that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir was an inseparable part of India. He has often reiterated that no solution to Kashmir will be acceptable unless it fulfills the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
"Musharraf wants 'new beginning' in ties with India"
"Musharraf says he will change history on Kashmir"
"'This Time We Must Change History'"
"No solution of Kashmir acceptable, if it does not fulfil aspirations of Kashmiris: "

A PRC delegation led by Communications Minister Huang Zhedang is visiting Pakistan and will study the feasibility of constructing a port at Gwadar and a coastal highway to link Karachi with Iran. Huang was deputed by PRC leader Zhu Rongji to assess the level of PRC financial and technical assistance to offer for these projects.
"China may help build strategic Pak. port "
"CE welcomes Chinese help"

Sergei Yastrshembsky, Russia's envoy to Pakistan for an evaluation visit last September, stated that while he had expressed cautious optimism eight months ago about Russian relations with Pakistan, little had changed regarding Russia's concerns about Pakistan's support for the Taliban and Chechen terrorists.
"Pak. yet to address Russia's concerns: Putin aide"

Abdul Sattar said that talks with Canadian External Affairs Minister John Manley focused on Kashmir, the revival of democracy in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the upcoming Commonwealth meeting in Australia.
"Sattar hopes for 'useful' dialogue with India"

The Times of India reports that when Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar visits the US, he will not receive a warm welcome. Pakistan is seen in the US as supporting the Taliban and religious extremism. Despite statements by US officials affirming the importance of Pakistan, the Times of India reports that this is the first high-level contact between the two countries while there have already been three such contacts between Indian and US officials. Stephen Cohen, with the Brookings Institution, recently warned, "While America should pursue an 'India first' policy... this should not become an 'India only' policy." Talks with US officials are expected to focus on Afghanistan, religious tolerance, Pakistani economic and political reform, and regional tensions.
"US pursuing 'India first' policy"
"US-Pak talks to focus on Afghanistan"

The Times of India reported that, in an embarrassment to Pakistan ahead of Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar's visit to the US, US federal agents arrested two Pakistanis seeking to illegally acquire advanced weaponry.
"Pak embarrassed ahead of Sattar's US visit"

US President George Bush signed a waiver requested by the UN that allows Pakistani peacekeeping troops in Sierra Leone to receive specific military equipment. Pakistani troops will work alongside Bangladeshi troops under Kenyan and Nigerian command.
"Bush waives sanctions for Pak peacekeepers"

Kashmir

Jawed Naqvi writes in The Dawn that the creation of nuclear risk reduction center is likely to be a topic of discussion at the Musharraf-Vajpayee summit. The daily The Pioneer reported that a "Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Stabilization Regime" was also sought at the 1999 Lahore Declaration.
"N-alert system to be discussed, Summit from July 14: reports"

A senior Indian official stated that Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf would visit by mid-July, not July 7-8, and that only once the dates are announced will final details be worked out. The Times of India reports that officials in both countries agree that expectations should not be raised.
"Musharraf visit by middle of July"
"Musharraf plans to go to India on July 9"
"Summit dates will be finalised this week"

The Times of India reported that the two countries exchanged notes to analyze and compare each other's positions on the eight issues to be discussed. India High Commissioner to Pakistan Vijay Nambiar flew to New Delhi for discussions with government officials regarding the summit. Nambiar has stated that India would not shy away from discussing Kashmir. He said, "We know Pakistan will insist on the core issue." A Pakistani delegation is expected to soon leave for India to arrange details of the visit.
"India-Pak exchanged 'non-papers' for summit agenda"
"CE to stay in India for two and a half days"
"India, Pakistan diplomats prepare ground for summit"
"Indo-Pak diplomats prepare ground for summit"
"'We'll Not Shy Away From Discussing Kashmir'"

The Indian Express daily has reported that the summit talks would run July 14 to July 16, and that the venue would be New Delhi for security reasons.
"Indo-Pak summit from July 14"

Seema Guha writes in the Times of India that India and Pakistan are beginning to publicly lay out there positions ahead of the summit through the media. Guha states that so far, Pakistan has rejected Kashmir as an integral part of India and India has rejected Pakistani claims to flexibility. An editorial in the Times of India challenges Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf's need to stress Kashmir and India's crackdown on the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference as distracting, and possibly unnecessary, gestures.
"India, Pakistan get into shadow-boxing"
"Two Steps Backward"

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed has reportedly changed the Jamaat's stance on the proposed Musharraf-Vajpayee summit from a positive one to one critical. Ahmed has, according to The Hindu, argued that Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf does not have a mandate to go to India because his route to power does not give him the right to decide issues of national concern.
"Musharraf has no mandate to visit India: Jamaat"

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Amanullah Khan is urging both India and Pakistan to recognize the possibility of creating an independent Kashmir, the so-called "third option."
"JKLF reopens 'third option' plan"

The executive committee of the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference met, but failed to come to a consensus on Abdul Ghani Lone's statement suspending political activities, on Lone's statement advising militants to not take shelter in religious places, and on the Vajpayee-Musharraf summit.
"Hurriyat meet remains inconclusive"
"Hurriyat meet on Indo-Pak summit inconclusive"
"All Parties Hurriyat Conference discusses strategy"
"Musharraf, Vajpayee equally vital: APHC"
"Hurriyat divided over Indo-Pak summit"

All-Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat reiterated that the APHC could not be sidelined in any discussion of the future of Kashmir.
"Bhat sure of APHC inclusion in talks"

All-Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated that the body was considering requesting that militants declare a ceasefire if the summit make headway towards resolution of the Kashmir issue.
"Hurriyat agrees to call for ceasefire"

Police in Jammu and Kashmir arrested seven All-Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders, including Abdul Gani Bhat and Syed Ali Shah Geelani, in what the police described as a "precautionary measure." Protests erupted after their arrest.
"Hurriyat leaders' arrest evokes protest in J&K"
"APHC leaders arrested"

The links below provide coverage of violence that occurred in the past week in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Mosque siege ends, 7 militants killed"
" 13 killed, houses of 2 NC leaders attacked in J&K"
"4 Pak infiltrators, 10 ultras killed in J&K"
" J&K police foil attempt to blow up secretariat"
"20 injured in grenade explosion in Kashmir"
"Security crackdown in Kashmir claims 158 militants"
" 21 killed in Kashmir shootouts"
"10 militants killed, seven held in J&K"
"NC leader injured, 5 killed in J&K"
"236 ultras killed after withdrawal of ceasefire in J&K"
"Suicide attack kills two troops in Valley"
"12 fighters killed in Valley"
"Counter-insurgent killed in J&K"
"12 Mujahideen killed in Valley"
"Two killed, 18 vehicles torched ahead of strike"
"Seven killed as mosque siege ends in held valley"
"Seven killed in held Kashmir"
"30 killed in held Kashmir clashes"
"3 Mujahideen killed by Indian troops in H. Kashmir"
" Four killed in held Kashmir"
"8 Killed, Intrusion Bid Foiled Near LoC"

Sri Lanka

The government-owned Sunday Observer, as part of continued testing by the government of the idea, floated the possibility that the government would lift the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in an attempt to rescue the Norwegian-backed peace talks. The government may be seeking to put talks back on track after the LTTE protested the marginalization of Norwegian envoy Erik Solheim caused by an upgrading of Norway's role by Sri Lanka.
"Govt. tests waters for lifting ban on LTTE"

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Robert Brown, SANDNet Coordinator: SANDNet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States

Wade L. Huntley, Security Program Director: SANDNet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States