Opposition parties in India have strongly criticised the government's decision to conduct nuclear tests earlier this month -- a move that's led to economic sanctions being imposed on Delhi by several countries.

Speaking in a parliamentary debate, opposition leaders accused the government of acting for party political reasons rather than to promote national security.

Earlier, the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said India was committed to restraint in relations with its neighbours, and he insisted his government supported international disarmament.

Meanwhile, the President of Pakistan, Rafiq Tarar, has said Islamabad is yet to make a decision on whether it will detonate a nuclear device in response to the Indian move.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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