India should take lead to pass resolution for abolition of nuclear weapons during negotiations in the UNO: IDPD

Ludhiana, December 28, 2016: Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) has appealed to the Indian Government to support the move for ban on the nuclear weapons during the negotiations in the UN General Assembly. United Nations General Assembly has recently passed a resolution to start the formal negotiations for ban on nuclear weapons. These negotiations could result in declaring the nuclear weapons illegal and thus put a ban on them. This a historical step in the direction of abolition of nuclear weapons from earth. The above said resolution was adopted by 113 in favour, 35 against and 13 abstentions. India abstained in the voting. The negotiations will be held in March 2017. Dr S S Soodan – President, Dr Arun Mitra – Sr. Vice President and Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman – General Secretary IDPD cautioned that UN negotiations are of great importance in the present situation when tension has been brewing in various parts of the world involving the big powers directly or indirectly. US President elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been talking of strengthening of their nuclear arsenal which could put the world in extreme danger. Rhetoric by the leaders of India and Pakistan on the use of nuclear weapons has been a serious matter for our region, which is deprived of basic needs to our people. Only two days back the Pakistani Defense Minister got alarmed by the fake news about Israel threatening the use of nuclear weapons against Pakistan. Any such false alarm could trigger nuclear war. Nuclear weapons are the weapons of mass destruction. With nearly 17000 nuclear weapons on earth the whole flora and fauna could be at risk of extinction. The IDPD has since long been demanding complete ban on nuclear weapons. We earnestly urge both India and Pakistan to stop the rhetoric and take steps for bilateral dialogue to resolve issues and involve civil society members in such negotiations. The governments on both sides should also check the rising fanaticism and tendencies of violence.