Panaji: Former Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou today appealed to India to take the lead in stopping proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world.
“I would like to see India on the forefront to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons. India should call for the end of nuclear weapons,” Papandreou said addressing a lecture during “D D Kosambi Festival of Ideas” here organised by state government.
The former Greece PM, who was instrumental in brokering peace with Turkey, said the countries that have nuclear weapons should take lead in stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
He said India being a nuclear nation, which has emerged as a global player, can do this.
Papandreou expressed apprehension that nuclear weapons may fall in hands of “irresponsible people and this will be a major threat”.
“We need to go for de-nuclearisation especially when in the middle-east,” he said.
“We have created huge capabilities for our societies which can be a threat, if misused in future. What we need today is a moral standing for the current generation to come on how to use and not misuse the power,” Papandreou added.
He said India has a longer, deeper experiment with multiplicity of language and culture.
“India’s model needs to be protected and nurtured. The country is becoming a global player just not simply because of size of population, but because of the deep democratic culture it has got,” the former PM said.
He said India has a long tradition of non-violence which goes beyond Mahatma Gandhi.