§ 6. Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)What recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Pakistan and Indian Governments in connection with their nuclear tests. [44518]
§ 9. Mr. Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury)If he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with the Indian and Pakistan Governments in relation to nuclear tests. [44522]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Derek Fatchett)We have had a number of discussions with the Pakistan and Indian high commissions in London and with other representatives of their Governments. This morning, I had a meeting here in London with the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
§ Mr. PikeWhen the Foreign Secretary was with his colleagues in the G8 last week, were they able to agree on joint steps to persuade Pakistan and India that there should be no more tests, that moves should take place towards non-proliferation and that they should address the roots of the problems between the two nations, including the problem of Kashmir?
§ Mr. FatchettThe G8 Ministers meeting last week succeeded in reaching those agenda conclusions. In particular, we urged the Governments of India and Pakistan to sign the non-proliferation and test ban treaties. We also made a point that I made to the Pakistan Prime Minister this morning—that it is crucial for us to enter a dialogue with India and Pakistan so that they can deal with the fundamental issues that have divided them over the past 50 years. Resolving the Kashmir issue is an important part of that agenda.
§ Mr. RobertsonAs the testing has serious implications for the environment, for peace and indeed for trade, will the Minister clarify press statements that India is prepared to sign up to some parts of the test ban treaty? If no progress can be made, will he assure the House that he will take every. possible step to ask the United Nations Security Council to take whatever measures may be necessary?
§ Mr. FatchettThe hon. Gentleman mentions the position that has been taken by the Indian Government—that they would be willing to consider signing up to parts of the non-proliferation treaty. That is unacceptable to the permanent five and the G8. We have made that view clear to India. We cannot have an a la carte approach to the non-proliferation treaty. The same message has been delivered to Pakistan.
The hon. Gentleman mentions UN involvement. The P5 has already been involved in those issues and, through senior officials we established at last week's G8 meeting, there will be continued monitoring of progress and developments. We will consider what further action has to be taken.
§ Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)I support what my hon. Friend has said about condemning the tests 126 conducted by both India and Pakistan, but does he not think that the position of the big five nuclear powers in that condemnation would be stronger if they were seen to be actively disarming and disabling their nuclear weapons? If we want to live, as we all do, in a nuclear-free world, perhaps we should make a start in that direction.
§ Mr. FatchettIt is crucial that we continue the nuclear disarmament talks. The Government have taken a responsible and active role in that approach and will continue to do so. I am sure that my hon. Friend agrees that the security of ordinary people in south Asia has in no way been helped by the nuclear explosions detonated by the Governments of India and Pakistan. In many ways, those people are more insecure and more impoverished as a result of the actions that have been taken by their Governments.
§ Mr. Michael Colvin (Romsey)Will the Minister confirm that these tests mean that the Indian state of Kashmir is surrounded by nuclear powers: India, Pakistan and the People's Republic of China? Will he acknowledge that the problem—that is what it is—of Kashmir arose under an earlier Labour Administration? Will he confirm that the Government will make every effort to ensure that Kashmir is on the UN Security Council's agenda so that the people of Kashmir can be granted the plebiscite on their future that they have been denied for the past 50 years?
§ Mr. FatchettI know that the hon. Gentleman has a genuine interest in the issue of Kashmir and in the welfare of its people. We recognise that Kashmir is at the heart of the continuing difficulties between India and Pakistan. If we are to improve the relationship between the two countries, we have to address the problems that are created by the status of Kashmir.