Post-Pokhran, Australia harshly condemned India saying it had perpetrated outrageous acts. Excessive language?
What Australia has done is to provide an unequivocal view of India's and subsequently Pakistan's nuclear tests. Our statements have been plain, clear and easily comprehended. They are measured and appropriate in the circumstances.
Isn't this stand hypocritical, given the British tests in Australia in the '50s and that it's protected by a US nuclear umbrella?
I reject the notion that Australia's position is hypocritical. Over the last three decades we've been trying to develop a nonproliferation regime. This has been a consistent Australian policy priority in terms of the NPT, CTBT and measures such as IAEA safeguards and missile control arrangements. Australia has made significant efforts in this area in the Committee on Disarmament. As for this cheap shot about Australia being under the nuclear umbrella, in no way has that been the basic conditioning factor for our approach on non-proliferation. If there wasn't a US nuclear umbrella over several countries, including NATO countries critical of Indian testing, other nations would have been tempted to acquire nuclear capability. In a sense this acted as a non-proliferation assurance—so I reject any question of hypocrisy.
Wasn't Australia's reaction to French tests in Mururoa Atoll more restrained than to India's tests?
I'm not getting into comparative reactions. Our stand on the tests is clear, consistent and eloquent.
Sections of India's bureaucracy have demanded that Australia be denied major trade contracts—mainly wheat deals worth millions of dollars...
I've had no formal advice from any Indian government source of any such threat or punitive action.
You have reportedly been trying to meet with the MEA, and were unable to get a meeting with the CM of Karna-taka. Isn't it difficult for Australia now to dig itself out of the hole it finds itself in?
"I hope to God India does act responsibly as a nuclear power. But our desire is to see the total elimination of N-weapons."
To quote the US Secretary of State, it is India that finds itself in a hole. Certainly we have some difficulties in the present situation, there's been a political fallout from our reaction to the tests. But I hope that in time we will be able to get over this.
You've just returned from a trip to sell India to Australian businessmen—is there a contradiction here?
Trade does go on. I'm keen to promote it. There are no trade sanctions by Australia as a consequence of the Indian tests. My understanding is that just as Australian business is keen on business with India, so is India keen on business with Australia.
You can't have good business with bad political ties.
I am unaware of any additional difficulties encountered by Australian business or Indian business in Australia after the tests.
Do you think India would be irresponsible with its nuclear arsenal?
It's testing we oppose. I hope to God India does act responsibly as a nuclear power. But our desire is to see the total elimination over time of nuclear weapons.
