NEW DELHI: On the eve of civil nuclear deal with Japan, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that India should say it will use its nuclear powers “responsibly” instead of stressing on “no first use.”

Speaking at the release of a book, ‘The New Arthashastra: A Security Strategy for India,’ on Thursday Parrikar said that this was his personal view. Talking about India’s nuclear doctrine, Parrikar questioned why it was just said that India is for no first use. “Why do lot of people say that India is for ‘not first use…why should I bind myself ? I should say I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly,” he said.

The minister and defence ministry spokesperson Nitin Wakankar later clarified that the comments were his personal opinion, and did not reflect government policy. “It is not change in any government policy, I am also an individual. As an individual, I get this feeling sometimes. Why should I say I am not going to use it first? I am not saying you have to use it first just because you don’t decide that you don’t use it,” Parrikar clarified.

However, this failed to satisfy his critics. “If the Defence Minister wants to speak in his personal capacity, he should resign from the government,” tweeted CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury. The defence minister’s remarks soon became a topic trending on twitter.

The Indo-Japan nuclear deal that is to be signed shortly includes a clause for exit by Japan if India conducts a nuclear test. India’s nuclear doctrine talks on second strike capability and deterrence factor. Japan had imposed sanctions on India after the 1998 tests under the Vajpayee government. Japan is the only country to have been nuked and is sensitive to issue of nuclear tests.

NO PARALLEL MECHANISMS ON KISHANGANGA, SAYS MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday rejected World Bank proposals on two parallel mechanisms on Kishanganga hydel power project issue vis-à-vis Pakistan. “The World Bank has decided to proceed with both steps simultaneously. It was pointed by the Government to the World Bank that the pursuit of two parallel difference/ dispute resolution mechanisms — appointment of a Neutral Expert and establishment of a Court of Arbitration — at the same time is legally untenable.

Inexplicably, the World Bank has decided to continue to proceed with these two parallel mechanisms simultaneously.

India cannot be party to actions which are not in accordance with the Indus Waters Treaty. The Government will examine further options and take steps accordingly,” an MEA statement issued late Thursday night said, giving a new angle to India’s position on IWT. On the issue of differences between India and Pak on Kishanganga and Ratle Hydroelectric Projects under the Indus Waters Treaty, India had asked the World Bank to appoint a neutral expert to resolve the differences.