U.S. may press India on CTBT
Narayan Lakshman
Washington: In an indication that the United States might press India to accede to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty during President Barack Obama's November visit, a top administration official here said the U.S. would "strengthen our efforts to achieve ratification of both treaties by ... China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, North Korea, and Pakistan..."
Arguing that the ratification of the CTBT by these countries was necessary for the treaty to enter into force, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation Rose Gottemoeller said the U.S. would also aim to get India and the other listed countries "negotiating a verifiable FMCT".
Mr. Obama has consistently emphasised on getting both treaties ratified during his time in office, a priority he outlined in a defining speech he made in Prague last year.
The White House's keenness on getting both treaties ratified was further exemplified in strong statements by Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Ellen Tauscher, pressing Pakistan to end its opposition to the FMCT.
On Pakistan
Speaking at the Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference this year she said: "I think everyone shares the disappointment that the U.S. shares that there is a country that is blocking the programme of work that was a very hard fought agreement ... to move forward ... to begin negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty."
She added that the U.S. joined with its friends and allies in "trying to persuade that country to step away and let the programme of work go forward because it would be a long negotiation."