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We retain right to conduct
further nuclear tests: Jaswant

The aspect of further nuclear tests is an inherent right and it is not foreclosed or foregone," he said adding that India had declared a voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests after the 1998 tests at Pokhran.

However, this would not come in the way of enforcement of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as India traditionally and culturally has always favoured disarmament, he said winding up discussion on international situation.

"But we have to keep in mind that the enforcement of CTBT will not be possible if weapons of mass destruction are present all over the world," Singh said.

Singh said, "India cannot disregard the security scenario around it before it takes a decision on abiding by the CTBT."

Referring to opposition members' concern about 'truthfulness' of the results obtained from the May 1998 Pokhran tests especially in view of the conflicting statements by Indian scientists, Singh said it was common for scientists in all countries to differ over the results of a particular test.

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