Kalam hails NSG waiver, says nobody can stop us

PROUD MOMENT: Kalam, the architect of India's nuclear weapons programme, says it's a day to rejoice.

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India's three-decade long nuclear isolation finally came to end after the country achieved a historic waiver at the Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG) meeting in Vienna. Former president APJ Abdul Kalam spoke exclusively to CNN-IBN hours after the landmark decision. He strongly backed the deal and rejected all criticism against the Indo-US nuclear pact.

Excerpts from the interview:

CNN-IBN: You are someone who has been waiting for this day. Isn't it sir? Are you happy?

APJ Abdul Kalam: Yes, I am indeed very happy because this waiver from NSG is a very important milestone for the nation. We should rejoice today but our country has to do two important things.

Firstly, there are few states in our country that have uranium ores. Scientists should come together to make use of that. States should allow them to be used for national interest and it should be irrespective of any political interest. States should come forward and make sure our scientists use the uranium that is available.

Secondly, our nuclear scientists are working very hard to generate thorium-based nuclear reactors for power generation. They have a 10-year period to achieve their goal but I would like them to work in mission mode and finish it as soon as possible.

By 2020 we need about 4,00,000 megawatt of power. Today, we are generating 1,30,000 megawatt of power. We have huge expectations from nuclear power. Thorium-based nuclear reactors definitely give clean energy. So which means India has the capacity to build itself. Then only can we say 'no first use, no moratorium'.

CNN-IBN: India is the only country outside of the NBT regime to get this kind of a waiver. Will the deal affect our military facilities? Also, our capability to further test if we so desire or to make a nuclear weapon.

APJ Abdul Kalam: Going by our strategic reasons, nobody can stop us. We got the waiver for two reasons. Number one is our clean record of non-proliferation. Even though we are a nuclear weapon state, we did not proliferate nuclear technology. Secondly, voluntarily we have put a moratorium on nuclear tests.

CNN-IBN: What would your message be to those who are criticising this deal?

APJ Abdul Kalam: After all this is a democracy. There will be different opinions. Finally, national interest and importance should be the supreme target for all.

CNN-IBN: Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has said that you were the one who convinced them to support the deal. What is it that you told them that suddenly made them change their mind?

APJ Abdul Kalam: I happened to meet a number of political parties. We discussed the necessity of the Indo-US nuclear pact. So, a number of times I have told the media, politicians and my young friends that this pact is going to help us.