    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [June 27, 1998]
    [Pages 1077-1078]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on South Asia
    June 27, 1998

    Introduction

        Recent nuclear tests by India and Pakistan, and the resulting
    increase in tension between them, are a source of deep and lasting
    concern to both of us. Our shared interests in a peaceful and stable
    South Asia and in a strong global nonproliferation regime have been put
    at risk by these tests, which we have joined in condemning. We have
    agreed to continue to work closely together, within the P-5, the
    Security Council and with others, to prevent an accelerating nuclear and
    missile arms race in South Asia, strengthen international
    nonproliferation efforts, and promote reconciliation and the peaceful
    resolution of differences between India and Pakistan.

    Preventing a Nuclear and Missile Race in South Asia

        The P-5 Joint Communique of June 4, which was endorsed by UN
    Security Council Resolution 1172, sets out clear and comprehensive
    objectives and a plan for action to address the threat of South Asian
    nuclear and missile arms race. We pledge our full support for the steps
    outlined in the Joint Communique, and again call on India and Pakistan
    to stop all further nuclear tests and adhere immediately and
    unconditionally to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), to
    refrain from weaponization or deployment of nuclear weapons and from the
    testing or deployment of missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons,
    and to enter into firm commitments not to weaponize or deploy nuclear
    weapons or missiles capable of delivering them.

    Strengthening Global Nonproliferation Cooperation

        The United States and China remain firmly committed to strong and
    effective international cooperation on nuclear nonproliferation, with
    the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as its
    cornerstone. We will continue to bolster global nuclear nonproliferation
    efforts, and reiterate that our goal is adherence of all countries,
    including India and Pakistan, to the NPT as it stands, without any
    modification. States that do not adhere to the Treaty cannot expect to
    be accorded the same benefits and international standing as are accorded
    to NPT parties. Notwithstanding their recent nuclear tests, India and
    Pakistan do not have the status of nuclear weapons states in accordance
    with the NPT.
        We reaffirm our determination to fulfill our commitments relating to
    nuclear disarmament under Article VI of the NPT. To this end, both
    countries have signed the Comprehensive Test

    [[Page 1078]]

    Ban Treaty and do not intend to resume nuclear testing.
        We call for the prompt initiation and conclusion of negotiations in
    the Conference on Disarmament, on the basis of the 1995 agreed mandate,
    for a multilateral treaty banning the production of fissile material for
    nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. We urge India and
    Pakistan to participate, in a positive spirit, in such negotiations with
    other states in the Conference on Disarmament with a view to reaching
    early agreement.
        We both actively support the Strengthened Safeguards System now
    being implemented by the IAEA, and will promptly take steps to implement
    it in our countries.

    Reducing Tensions and Encouraging the Peaceful Resolution of Differences
    Between India and Pakistan

        We are committed to assist where possible India and Pakistan to
    resolve peacefully the difficult and long-standing differences between
    them, including the issue of Kashmir. We welcome the resumption of
    dialogue between the two countries and encourage them to continue such
    dialogue, and we stand ready to assist in the implementation of
    confidence-building measures between them, and encourage the
    consideration of additional measures of this type.

    Responsibilities of the United States and China

        The United States and China have long sought friendly relations with
    both India and Pakistan. We reaffirm this goal and our hope that we can
    jointly and individually contribute to the achievement of a peaceful,
    prosperous, and secure South Asia. As P-5 members, and as states with
    important relationships with the countries of the region, we recognize
    our responsibility to contribute actively to the maintenance of peace,
    stability and security in the region, and to do all we can to address
    the root causes of tension.
        We reaffirm that our respective policies are to prevent the export
    of equipment, materials or technology that could in any way assist
    programs in India or Pakistan for nuclear weapons or for ballistic
    missiles capable of delivering such weapons, and that to this end, we
    will strengthen our national export control systems.

    Next Steps

        Close coordination between the United States and China is essential
    to building strong international support behind the goals to which we
    are committed in response to nuclear testing by India and Pakistan. We
    will stay closely in touch on this issue, and will work with other
    members of the P-5 and the Security Council, with other Asian and
    Pacific countries, and with the broader international community to
    forestall further instability in South Asia, achieve a peaceful and
    mutually acceptable resolution of differences between India and
    Pakistan, and strengthen the global nonproliferation regime.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.