Human Rights Developments

Defending Human Rights

The Role of the International Community

United Nations
The sharpest criticism of the tests came from the U.N. Security Council. On June 6, over the misgivings of some of its members, the council passed Resolution 1172, in which it used the strongest language in the council’s parlance to condemn the testing and demand that India and Pakistan refrain from any further such actions. The council also cautioned that the tests could lead to regional instability and an escalating arms race between India and Pakistan. Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed “deep regret” at the tests. In August, India criticized a statement by Secretary-General Annan expressing concern over growing tensions in Kashmir, arguing that the statement played into Pakistan’s campaign to “internationalize” the Kashmir problem.

European Union
Early in the year, relations between the India government and European Union member states focused on trade. French President Jacques Chirac visited India in January, but aside from expressing concern about Kashmir, no other human rights issues were on his agenda. Following the tests the E.U. called upon India to adhere to international non-proliferation regimes and stated that if India and Pakistan would fail to do so the E.U. would consider “further measures.” In an urgent resolution the European Parliament expressed its “deep concern” about the tests and called on E.U. member states to prevent exports to India and Pakistan of any equipment that might assist nuclear weapons programs. Britain and Germany suspended aid; Britain recalled its high commissioner for consultations. Britain also placed new restrictions on visas for scientists involved in any senior capacity with India’s nuclear program.

Japan
In accordance with the principles of its aid program dealing with military spending and development of nuclear weapons, Japan suspended aid to both India and Pakistan. Almost immediately following India’s nuclear tests in May, Japan cancelled U.S.$30 million in grants to the Indian government and said it would consider suspending larger aid programs; since 1992, Japan has given nearly $1 billion in aid to India annually.

United States
A series of high-level visits between senior U.S. and Indian officials took place following the election of the BJP and were designed in part to pave the way for a planned U.S. presidential visit later in the year. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson held meetings in Delhi in April, raising a number of human rights concerns including “disappearances” in Kashmir and child labor.

India’s nuclear tests triggered automatic sanctions from the United States, although in July, a waiver was granted for the sale of food grains. The planned visit by President Clinton was placed formally “under review,” and despite numerous meetings in mid-year between Undersecretary of State Strobe Talbott and Jaswant Singh, special adviser to Prime Minister Vajpayee, to discuss the issue, the visit in the end was postponed at least until early 1999, pending the outcome of further negotiations between the two countries.

World Bank
In the immediate aftermath of the tests, the World Bank postponed consideration of U.S.$206.4 million in loans to India and delayed another U.S.$865 million in loans already approved. Japan and Canada supported a U.S. move to have the bank turn down the loans, but other member states urged that the loans be postponed.