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India’s Disarmament Seminar cancelled for fear of offending U.S. nuclear lobby

the rejection might be because the seminar was being held to close to the date of US president Barack Obama’s visit to India during November. “May be the government did not want to annoy Uncle Sam,”

‘No seminar on nuclear disarmament’, – The Times of India, TNN, Aug 25, 2010,  NAGPUR: In an apparent move to curb an ‘unwanted’ congregation, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has struck down the application by a city-based activist known for his left leaning to hold a global seminar on nuclear disarmament in city.

The Centre for Cultural Educational, Economics and Social Studies had planned to hold an international seminar on ‘Achieving A Nuclear Weapons and Missile Defence Free Asia’, from October 9 to 12. The application for clearance was sent in February but on July 27, the MEA wrote back saying the issue of getting a political permit for the seminar had been carefully examined and the ministry did not recommend holding this conference………….

Rao wondered how could nuclear disarmament be a sensitive topic. “An academic discussion would hardly have any political ramifications,” he said. Rao felt the rejection might be because the seminar was being held to close to the date of US president Barack Obama’s visit to India during November. “May be the government did not want to annoy Uncle Sam,” he mused.

He added that US wanted to push India into an arms race as it wanted a market for its defence industry.

Interestingly, he also stressed that India need not increase its nuclear stockpile keeping China in mind. Rao said China’s nuclear arms were not meant for India but were a defence against the US. “Since China is not going to attack India with nuclear weapons there is no reason for us to enter into an atomic arms race with it,” he added.

‘No seminar on nuclear disarmament’ – Nagpur – City – The Times of India

August 25, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, secrets,lies and civil liberties | antinuclear, disarmament, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear weapons