THE fears expressed by the Foreign Office that New Delhi is giving serious thought to conducting fresh nuclear tests, are genuine indeed. It is of the view that India might be using the nuclear controversy raked up by its nuclear scientist K Santanam to justify new tests. Given the backdrop where he had cast doubts about the efficacy of the Pokhran tests, that their yield was half of what was officially stated, the Indian government, though it initially refuted these claims, might now be considering detonating new devices. Although he was contradicted by top nuclear scientist and ex-President Abul Kalam, he continued to stick to his guns. On the one hand, the argument has been turned to India's favour. Since the yield of the tests was quite below normal, it has been contended that there is no need for India to sign the CTBT. It is in this backdrop that Pakistan's Foreign Office fears that New Delhi might be conducting a new series of tests to perfect its weapons. These are turbulent times for the region, and New Delhi must understand that if it goes ahead with such plans, it would be destabilizing for the entire region. For one thing, a new nuclear arms race would begin. The Indian nuclear establishment must also think of the horrible consequences it will have for the environment. More nuclear tests mean increasing pollution, as the nuclear tests would invariably leave behind a great deal of nuclear waste and radiation, which is one of the major causes of cancer and other deadly diseases. Consequently, these nuclear ambitions by New Delhi, where they are a part of the nefarious plan to pressurize Pakistan, are also meant to show the world its nuclear muscle. It is now an open secret that New Delhi, after the detonations of 1998 and brandishing its nuclear sword, had plans to invade Pakistan. It has always been on the hunt for any opportunity that could allow it to push Pakistan to the corner. So there is a need on the part of India to exercise restraint and stay away from taking a step that will be causing great harm not only to the region, but also to the entire world. This is hardly the way a country of India's stature should behave. In reality, all this points attention to the nuclear flashpoint of Kashmir. There will be no end to tensions, wars and bloodletting if the issue is resolved in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiris. New Delhi must give up its illegal occupation of Kashmir and respect the UN resolutions passed in 1948, allowing Kashmiris the right to a plebiscite to decide their fate.