Many British MPs and Britain-based academics have come out with a statement condemning the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan. In a message received by Liberation, the statement says:

‘We condemn the governments of India and Pakistan for callously ignoring the basic needs of their people and draining yet more scarec resources into a destructive arms race and cynically using the tests to pose as anti-imperialist while remianing committed to economic policies which serve the interests of foreign capital at a heavy cost to their own people.

We particularly condemn India’s BJP-led government for initiating the nuclear arms race in South Asia, whipping up communal feeling against Indian Muslims through the test and its aftermath, pandering to the most vicious right-wing elements within its fold and displaying a fascistic populism in an attempt to consolidate its position nationally.

We express our heartfelt support and solidarity with all democratic initiatives by the people of India and Pakistan to stop the escalation of hostilities between the two countries and to work together for a lasting peace in the region.’

The statement has been signed by among others, Tony Benn, David Charter (both MPs), Amrit Wilson of South Asian Solidarity Group, Dr.Sudipta Kaviraj and Bela Bhatia.