[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 207 (Friday, December 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   INDIA'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS CAPABILITY

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                       HON. ROBERT G. TORRICELLI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 22, 1995

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I bring to the attention of my 
colleagues recent press reports about India's nuclear weapons 
capability.
  A December 15 story in the New York Times indicates that based on 
satellite surveillance, United States experts suspect India is 
preparing for a nuclear test, its first since 1974. The Indian 
Government says the intelligence is being misinterpreted and that it 
has no plans to conduct another nuclear test.
  Mr. Speaker, nuclear developments on the South Asian subcontinent 
should not be taken lightly. Any move by the Government of India to 
conduct a nuclear test will inevitably escalate the danger of 
proliferation in a region fraught with tensions and conflicts and 
threaten the negotiations in Geneva on the Comprehensive Test Ban 
Treaty.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States continues to pursue efforts to bring 
both Pakistan and India back from the nuclear brink. it is a policy 
that should not and cannot be threatened by India. Three times since 
1947 India and Pakistan have gone to war. Tensions still simmer over 
the disputed territory of Kashmir.
  The United States has made its policy goals for South Asia clear. We 
oppose the deployment of missiles, nuclear weapons testing, and 
production of fissile materials. We can only attain these goals if 
India cooperates with these guidelines. If India proceeds with nuclear 
testing, it will be repudiating years of efforts to end nuclear 
proliferation and could increase tensions with Pakistan.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to read the New York Times story 
and the December 20 editorial in the Washington Post on this very 
significant development.

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