The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inducted Pakistan to the Board of Governors for the next two years. This gives us an opportunity to shape global policies towards global non-proliferation and the safe use of nuclear power and technology. We must take advantage of this international platform to highlight illegal and hidden nuclear proliferation in India particularly when it has major implications for regional security.
For years, we have been working towards harnessing the potential of nuclear power in a safe and sustainable way. Inauguration in the IAEA is recognition of this very fact. In the meantime, there have been countless reports according to which India has been found guilty of partaking in illegal uranium trade. Seven people in the country were found to be possessing radioactive material in the most recent case, showcasing how nuclear regulation and security is not taken as seriously as it should. In the wrong hands, it could be used catastrophically and that is a risk that no state should be willing to take. One must question why the Indian government has not taken strict action against this given the stakes we are dealing with.
Targeted attack in Islamabad, the owner of a housing society was killed, and four others were injured.
A similar report was filed after seven kilograms of uranium was unearthed in Maharashtra and the pastureland of Karnataka was the subject of speculations of being the country’s largest complex of nuclear centrifuges, research laboratories and testing facilities. Even the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released data which showed that India has increased its nuclear arsenal substantially over the last year. Keeping this in mind, the answer becomes rather clear; the Indian state is complicit in illegal nuclear activities in the country which is why there has been a serious lack of regulation and security.
Within our newfound capacity as a member of the IAEA, we must point out the inconsistencies within nuclear policies across the world, especially in India because it poses a serious risk to regional peace and security. Mr Muhammad Naeem, as the head of our delegation, must see to it that these concerns are addressed.
Source: Published in The Nation