By IANS,
London : The British government Thursday urged India and Pakistan to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty as it unveiled its blueprint for addressing global nuclear challenges ahead of two key summits next year.
“It is in the long term interests of regional and global security for India and Pakistan to commence a process that will enable them to engage in the global disarmament framework,” said a report published ahead of the NPT Review Conference to be held in May 2010.
In addition, US President Barack Obama has announced plans for a nuclear security summit in the spring of next year.
The report presented by Prime Minister Gordon Brown said India and Pakistan should “increase transparency on current and future programmes”.
They should also declare a “joint commitment to cease to develop new nuclear weapon capabilities” and “work with the international community to further enhance the security of their respective nuclear installations”.
“Entering into the NPT framework would lead to them receiving the same inalienable rights to have secure access to nuclear power that other states party to the NPT enjoy, without undermining provision for their national security,” said the report, titled The Road to 2010.
The report acknowledges the importance of nuclear power in generating low carbon electricity, which made it an essential part of any global solution to the challenges of climate change and energy security.
“The world needs a renewed global bargain for nuclear energy,” said Brown, adding: “We need this to make the world safer, more prosperous, and better able to combat climate change and to secure the energy supply we need.”