May 28 1999

Press Release by Movement in India for Nuclear Disarmament (MIND)

[following hightened tension between Indian & Pakistan armed forces.]

 

The present escalation of hostilities and actual engagement between

Pakistani and Indian forces has the potential to snowball into a major

conflict. This is the first occasion when engagement of this kind has taken

place between the two countries since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. That it is

happening today when the sub-continent is under a nuclear shadow, makes the

situation especially alarming for people on both sides of the border. When

the two countries had conducted nuclear tests a year ago, it was claimed by

both Govts. that this would actually work towards stabilising the security

climate in the region.

 

The recent spate of hostilities, barely 3 months after the Lahore

declaration, shows how fragile the security climate in the region actually

is. What makes the situation doubly dangerous is the fact that the

legitimacy of both Governments, at this point of time, is seriously

compromised. While legitimate security concerns need to be addressed, there

is absolutely no room for military adventurism under the looming threat of a

nuclear shadow. Violation of the Line of Control by either side should be

avoided at all costs. It is of critical importance that both sides excercise

utmost restraint, work towards cessation of hostilities immediately and

press for a peaceful settlement of disputes.