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Questions remain despite statement

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The United Front Government's nebulous declarations on security and foreign policy issues produce more questions than answers.

By declaring it will retain its nuclear option but continue to work for global nuclear disarmament, strengthen the non-alignment movement in the post-Cold War era and restore greater autonomy to the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, the 13-party alliance has attempted to be all things to all people, but without much conviction.

Its policy framework has not spelt out how the Government proposes to achieve these goals, nor has it mentioned its policy towards neighbouring Pakistan.

All the Front Government's policy paper has said on Indo-Pakistan relations is that it wants to 'forge close and friendly ties with its South Asian neighbours'.

This hiatus is all the more surprising as mutual animosity has led to a nuclear and missile race between the two countries and, more recently, the refusal to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, under negotiation in Geneva.

India's stand in Geneva is that it will keep its nuclear options open if the treaty does not commit itself to the elimination of all nuclear weapons in a time-bound framework.

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