During the United State’s Cold War with the Soviet Union, Pakistan and India were at war with each other on three separate occasions.

This week the world stands by while Pakistan prepares to test a nuclear device in a show of force to counter five tests performed by India last week. On Sunday, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stated that whether or not his country will continue with proposed testing will be entirely dependent upon the Group of Eight industrialized powers and their willingness to impose sanctions against India.

So far, only the United States, Canada and Japan are willing to impose sanctions against India. Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia condemn India but are unwilling to act in concert to impose sanctions. As a result, any actions taken will be weak and ineffectual in comparison.

President Clinton has eloquently summed up world opinion, stating that nuclear escalation is a “nutty way to go” — well stated.

At the end of the Cold War, after decades of living under the gun, many of us gave a collective sigh of relief, as if all would be right with the world. It is becoming abundantly clear that we have more to worry about today than ever before.

As the Soviets lose control of their nuclear stockpile, and second-rate nuclear powers rush to start Cold Wars of their own, we cannot afford inaction on the part of the most powerful nations on Earth.

Most disconcerting is that all of the world’s major powers are actually in accord. In the past, disagreements about major, fundamental differences concerning human rights and economic systems kept us and the Soviets from acting rationally to end the stand-off for fear of appearing weak to their own people and the world.

Right now, India and Pakistan are preparing to make the same mistake and it is the responsiblity of all nations to act and not simply pay lip service to what is right. If the G-8 cannot impose sancions against an otherwise rational nation over an issue as important as nuclear testing, then who could they impose sanctions against?

It begins with a firm stance. No nuclear testing, no exceptions.