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Vasundhara Raje: Hello, and I'm looking forward to the next half hour with you all. User d87365: How does India plan to achieve balance between it's own internal security concerns and the external economic pressures. Will India sign the CTBT ? Vasundhara Raje: The CTBT whether we sign it or not has been explained by the Prime Minister. He's made it very clear that we are happy to adhere to some parts, but it will require a discussion. We need to sit down and talk ... and we will be happy to do that. But no signing of the document until a discussion takes place. You asked about the economy and security of the country: they are rather separate questions. On security, the nuclear tests have taken place because we felt that a defense had to be put in place. We have been watching this build up of Pakistan's nuclear abilities. We have brought this to the Big 5 and found that to our dismay nobody really took notice of it. And being the largest democratic country in the world we had to take the steps that we did. But having done that we feel there is a moratorium. India's history speaks for itself. This situation arose 24 years ago and it has taken that long for us to show the world that we mean business. Please don't take our goodness for weakness. The economy - we intend to continue with out liberalization process ... and we realize there are costs but the security of the country comes first. And I'm afraid that on this there can be no trade off. USER JayKay: My question: Do you really think nuclear weapons will help keep safety in South Asia or in the world? Vasundhara Raje: As far as weapons are concerned ... its actually a question of a defensive situation. India has never believed that these weapons are created for a war situation. This is for a defense situation. Across the world people should think about disarming and this should be on a level playing field. Not that some people have nuclear umbrellas or bi-lateral umbrellas. We are not threatening any country and we want the whole world to be a non-nuclear set up. USER bt: Your tests have internationalized the Kashmir issue, caused sanctions to be placed on India and even if they've scared Pakistan, they have also encouraged China to restart its nuclear missile production? That is a victory? Please comment. bt South Africa Vasundhara Raje: Kashmir is a bilateral situation .... there is no question of it getting internationalized. It is the business of India. I think that the tension is very exaggerated because if we had a nuclear test .... and it was a situation that arose between India and Pakistan, where would Kashmir figure? I don't think it should figure at all. As far as the China situation is considered ... I think this is very very exaggerated. A lot of other countries have tested and when they tested how come there was no threat to global security? Almost 2000 tests have taken place so far from different countries. No one seems to have said very much about that. USER bk: I understand India's Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Bombay (BARC) has recently been the victim of extensive computer hacking. Can you confirm or deny that data was erased or stolen from two BARC servers? Can you confirm or deny the actual attack? Vasundhara Raje: We have no information on this right now. USER OlgojChorchoj: Can you imagine Iran, Iraq, north Korea and other Asian states also joining the nuclear club? Vasundhara Raje: How can we speculate on that? bgmahesh: Why don't we actually show the proof that Pakistan is supporting terrorism in Kashmir by training them? There is no point in simply making statements. Show the proof to the world press and it will be better for India. Vasundhara Raje: I think we have given at very many forums - a lot of proof. Even in Geneva, New York recently and it has been very widely recorded. By the way, the kidnapping of tourists could be considered serious enough. We have already declared a moratorium on testing. And we are willing to formalize this into an obligation. Through negotiations with key negotiators. India doesn't pose a threat to Pakistan or any other country. We continue to contribute to peace around the world. We want a friendship with Pakistan. As far as China is concerned we wish to keep a friendship. We would like to remind everyone that India is now a nuclear state, and that cannot be denied. USER Paul: Could you comment on your perception of the Clinton Administration policies toward South Asia? Vasundhara Raje: We have friendly relations. There are some agreements and disagreements between ourselves. We are both very large democracies and I suppose that is how it will go between us. We hope that in the time to come they will understand our compulsions and see our points .. and understand what this is all about. User: BAN ALL NUKES Question to India's Foreign Minister: I know you can't answer all my questions but at least answer this one. Do you fear that China will get involved if you go to a big war with Pakistan? Vasundhara Raje: There is not going to be a big war with Pakistan. No one needs to worry about that. USER rujul: Can you state factually, what is the status of the talks with China on formalization of a mutually acceptable Sino-Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh (or NEFA). Rujul, Akron, USA Vasundhara Raje: We have a joint working group on this. The talks will be taking place quite soon hopefully! We would like you and the international community to understand our concerns. It is our security considerations which have been paramount in our country. Global comprehensive non-discriminatory regime has not come about ... We exercised voluntary restraint for 24 years.... India has been the victim of external terrorism ..... everyone in the international community recognizes this ... we are committed to controlling the export of any nuclear equipment and we commit to not attend to be aggressive with anyone. USER Anveshak: Is there any serious concern about sponsoring of terrorism in Kashmir from across the border in USA and other P5 countries. Have got any assurances from these countries to help curb this. Vasundhara Raje: No no. We don't seek out help in any case. We are happy to solve our problems ourselves. A very big thank you. It was wonderful to be with you this evening and I hope to join you again.
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