The writer has a master’s in strategic and nuclear studies and is an independent researcher from Islamabad. He tweets @ali9119
Forty years later the situation has changed.
France, Russia, the UK and the US are campaigning to make India a member of the NSG. The motives are simple — the huge potential for nuclear economics in the Indian market and to help India grow as a counterweight to China. Britain states that India qualifies because of accomplishing a healthy civil nuclear industry and has good non-proliferation credentials. While the first point may be true, the second is doubtful.
It’s ironic how these advocates of Indian inclusion into the NSG are also advocates of nuclear non-proliferation and have given a commitment under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) towards nuclear disarmament. Having already failed on the latter, they would also lose their moral authority over the former. Irony also lies in the fact that the same states that felt hard done by Indian transgression in 1974 are pushing for its membership.
The quintessential criterion for the NSG membership is a good non-proliferation record and adherence to international non-proliferation treaties like the NPT, as well as other bilateral or multilateral agreements. It also entails support to international efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). India fails on both these accounts.
India is not an NPT member and terms it discriminatory.
India championed for nuclear disarmament before the treaty was signed, yet, pursued a nuclear weapons path alongside it. This programme bore fruits four years after the treaty was operational when India tested its nuclear device. In breach of its international agreements with Canada, India diverted plutonium from the Canadian-Indian Reactor, US (CIRUS) reactor provided solely for peaceful purposes and used it for military purposes of the 1974 testing. This shows a blatant breach of non-proliferation laws and norms by the Indian state.
Similarly, India and Pakistan signed an agreement on chemical weapons on August 19, 1992. They agreed not to develop, produce or acquire chemical weapons, while reassuring each other of not having any existing stockpiles of such. However, after denying the existence of chemical weapons for years, India in 1997 declared its chemical weapons stockpile. Almost 20 tonnes of sulphur mustard were filled in artillery shells, while some 984 tonnes were stored! The Indian state had, yet again, failed its commitment to stop the growth of WMDs by breaking the agreement.
Diplomatic campaigns aside, if India is allowed membership of the NSG, it would set the worst precedents in the non-proliferation regime’s history. Break laws, norms and breach agreements; no punishment will ensue if you provide good economics.
This trend will tempt non-nuclear weapons states inside the NPT to withdraw since there is a better trade-off — becoming a nuclear weapon state and a nuclear beneficiary rather than a reliant state. In the Cold War phase, the emphasis was on how to acquire nuclear weapons; now it will be on how to acquire nuclear weapons and develop an effective civil nuclear industry. In the end, all sins are forgiven.
This will be an utter nightmare for all. Are economic interests now more important than a safe and secure future world? Is this rational behaviour from world leaders?
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2013.
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COMMENTS (48)
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@G. Din:
"Because, “auto-correct” doesn’t care if your eyes were sore or they had the capability to soar along with you if you were a bird."
Told you this is your day. Didn't I?
@Lala Gee: "Seriously though, it was just my soar eyes ..." "Seriously though, it was just my tired and soar eyes ...." "soar" eyes? Did "auto-correct" fail you again? NO, it did not. Because, "auto-correct" doesn't care if your eyes were sore or they had the capability to soar along with you if you were a bird. My friend, all I can say for the rest of your posts alluding to invincibility of your illogical comments is that apart from possessing a massive ego, you have some powerful friends in the Moderators' Room who would not let submissions critical of you through in the name of perhaps nationalistic patriotism or even larger "ummah patriotism": (I am not sure that this will go through either.) I am not surprised that you truly feel that you are the latter day Haatim Tai of ET comment boards. Keep on "trucking"! "Dil ke bahlaane ko, Lalla Gee, yehi khayaal achha hai!"
@Lala Gee @Bewildered Sir, it is for the giver to choose, who he favours, the seeker can ask, moan and sulk, that's all. Western countries do not owe anything to Pakistan. If they prefer India, it is within their right. China favours Pakistan. We don't cry.
@G. Din:
"You accepted its suggestion. It would be interesting to know what you had proposed to write before “Auto-correct” feature made its suggestion, to which you yielded."
Finally, finally the moment has arrived, and you successfully caught me with an "embarrassing" deficiency of mine. I must let you fully enjoy this momentary instant of glory which you were so longingly waiting for from times immemorial. LOL. Seriously though, it was just my tired and soar eyes after long hours of gazing at screen who failed to detect that I clicked on the wrong suggestion while my focus had already moved on in the thought process. Most likely I pressed the wrong key near the letter 'e' which made the 'auto-correct' jump in, and there it made your day. Happy day.
@ASHOK:
"What about China gifting Pakistan away 100 KG of enriched uranium for its use in NUCLEAR BOMB in early 80s?"
You omitted to mention the fact that China also gave Pakistan the complete nuclear bomb technology including the detailed drawings of the bomb. This is the drawing along with centrifuges that Pakistan supplied Libya, Iran and North Korea. Also, China was very generous in exploding the first Pak nuke in a test in China.
@G. Din:
"It would be interesting to know what you had proposed to write before “Auto-correct” feature made its suggestion, to which you yielded. Just curious! A good dictionary by your side is an inexpensive investment and could save you from an embarrassment especially when one is sure of one’s smartness."
LOL. I shall fully allow you, in this rare moment, to take all the revenge you were so longing from times immemorial, as an opportunity like this does not come by very often. Seriously though, it was just my soar eyes due to continuous staring at screen for long hours which lead me to this position. Enjoy this rare moment of glorification and gratification.
@Lala Gee: Oye Lala, koi gal nahi. Then it's the motherland of all of your fathers and grandfathers. Ultimately it's your ancestors land and therefore deserves all your respect. Show some respect yaar.
I do not understand the fuss. The musalman gives the nuclear bomb to Indian Government so that they can control their unchecked demography and his friend also a musalman coming from the same village gives a bomb to Pakistan also to control Indian demography. they are now looking for a couple of more Musalmans to ignite them. In othere words India seems be the potential victim. Now where does Pakistan comes into this game?
Rex Minor
@Lala Gee @Bewildered
Sir, it is for the giver to choose, who he favours, the seeker can ask, moan and sulk, that's all. The bottom line, so to speak. Western countries do not owe anything to Pakistan. If they prefer India, it is within their right.
@Lala Gee @Bewildered
Sir, it is for the giver to choose, who he favours, the seeker can ask, moan and sulk, that's all about it. The bottom line, so to speak. Western countries do not owe anything to Pakistan. If they prefer India, it is within their right.
@Lala Gee: "@observer: “PS- Did you mean ‘TENETS’ instead of ‘TENANTS’?” Thank you for pointing out. ‘Auto-correct’ feature had this unwanted side effect." You accepted its suggestion. It would be interesting to know what you had proposed to write before "Auto-correct" feature made its suggestion, to which you yielded. Just curious! A good dictionary by your side is an inexpensive investment and could save you from an embarrassment especially when one is sure of one's smartness.
@ASHOK:
"What about China gifting Pakistan away 100 KG of enriched uranium for its use in NUCLEAR BOMB in early 80s?"
You omitted to mention the fact that China also gave Pakistan the complete nuclear bomb technology including the detailed drawings of the bomb. This is the drawing along with centrifuges that Pakistan supplied Libya, Iran and North Korea. Also, China was very generous in exploding the first Pak nuke in a test in China.
@Sandip:
"@Lala Gee: It’s your motherland and the motherland of all Pakistanis"
My, and 95% Pakistani's, motherland is where we were born, and that is Pakistan, not India.
@observer:
"PS- Did you mean ‘TENETS’ instead of ‘TENANTS’?"
Thank you for pointing out. 'Auto-correct' feature has this unwanted side effect.
@Lala Gee, You are not wrong. US developed the bomb and probably shared its secrets with UK. The Soviets, France, Israel kept their secrets well. China passed their technology to Pakistan. Fair enough. But then the PM BB took all the secrets of this gifted technology to NK in her coat pocket possibly without Chinese knowledge in return for Rocket technology. After that the good doctor did not remain that good. To date Pakistan remains the only nation to have done this act and created an international headache (NK and Iran). NK is far from Pak shores but Iran is next door. One day it will come to haunt Pakistan.
@Lala Gee:
Pakistan is a non-signatory to NPT treaty, and therefore Pakistan is under no legal obligation to follow its tenants,
By virtue of this argument, Pakistan is already a 'Nuclear Supplier'. Group or not.
So, what exactly are you crying about?
PS- Did you mean 'TENETS' instead of 'TENANTS'?
Any comments on how China acquired nuclear bomb technology in 1964? Didn't China steal enriched uranium from the nuclear power station built with the direct help from USSR?
What about China gifting Pakistan away 100 KG of enriched uranium for its use in NUCLEAR BOMB in early 80s?
China tested its nuclear bomb in Lopnor, a few hundred miles from Indian border in 1964 just after attacking and defeating India in 1962 war. Pakistan never raised objection then. It was China's testing of Nuclear bomb in 1964 that forced India to go nuclear in 1978 by showing its mastery on technology but when Pakistan crossed the threshold in 1980s, India accelerated the work on nuclear bomb weapon technology.
How come Pakistanis are shy on commenting on China's introduction of bombs in South Asia? Delhi may be withing the range of 750-1000 mile range missile from China's border. Google to verify my comments.
@Lala Gee: It's your motherland and the motherland of all Pakistanis - from which Pakistan was midwifed by the British. Tell me my statement is wrong or Please show some respect yaar!
@Bewildered: ET has already replied to you.
Here is one of the news in their newspaper today: http://tribune.com.pk/story/566372/4-injured-in-peshawar-blast/
@Ashvinn:
"then just may be you can start thinking of sitting on the same table with India."
And who is India by the way?
@MSS:
"there was proliferation by Pakistan to at least 3 countries against all accepted international norms."
@observer:
"What can not be debated is the ‘Seller’. We had one only."
Pakistan is a non-signatory to NPT treaty, and therefore Pakistan is under no legal obligation to follow its tenants, same as US has not signed the KYOTO protocol and continues to pollute and destroy environment beyond limits set by the protocols.
@AHMAD KHAN:
Whether the 'Customers' were only three or four can be debated.
What can not be debated is the 'Seller'. We had one only.
You know who, if you know Dr Q.
@Ahmad Khan You are alluding to David Albright's comment some time ago about the 'Unthinkable Fourth Customer'. Whether or not there was a fourth customer in addition to Libya, Iran and NK, India certainly was not one. Remember India had enrichment facilities long before Pakistan. It is more like Taipei, Seoul or another nation from Latin America. However, the point is you are accepting that there was proliferation by Pakistan to at least 3 countries against all accepted international norms. Then where is the argument for guilty India and a pious Pakistan?
Paisa bolta hai is an expression in Hindi, also it must be embarrassing for Pakistanis to compare a small economy like pakistan to trillion dollar economy like India, also it doesn't matter to external world if 28% of indian population doesn't have acess to basic amenities, so to all Pakistani grow your economy and industry( constructive ones) then just may be you can start thinking of sitting on the same table with India.
@All Indian Trolls:
India has always refused to sign NPT on the basis that it is discriminatory, and that every nation has the right to nuclear know-how and technology. Now all the Indian commentators here are applauding India for not allowing other nations to get the very same technology India got by hook-or-crook and which she thinks is essential for her defense and development. Was this an act of principles or hypocrisy of the worst kind.
@Raj - USA:
"Entire townships of Christian homes are burnt down and no action is taken. Law enforcing agencies provide support for such atrocities."
Since how long you haven't seen mirror? Perhaps since 1984 after the Sikh massacre, or 1992 after the Bombay pogrom, or 2002 after the Gujarat genocide.
@Raj - USA:
It seems like nobody taught you lying is a bad habit. But what else can you expect from a person of the nation whose history is full of lies, deceits, and dishonorable behavior. The author has made this pretty clear already. I wonder if you can write a single sentence without a manufactured lie. At least your above comment proves that.
@author: What kind on an article would you write if Pakistan is offered the same deal. See caught you.
Its funny, coming from a Pakistani commentator, that how India is a nuclear proliferation risk and a breaker of international treaties. I think the reason India gets treated differently from Pakistan in nuclear matters may have something to do with the fact that we didn't run an international black market in nuclear know-how. To be treated like a responsible member of the international order, you first have to act responsibly. Somehow, in case of many Pakistan based 'analysts', there seems to be a sense of entitlement - 'we are the largest Muslim nation, we are a nuclear power, we are at strategic crossroads, so they (IMF/US/EU/China/Saudi Arabia/India) need to help us out'. May be a good idea to snap out of these delusions.
Nations do what is in their perceived interests, Pakistan or India are no exceptions. There is no room for crying foul or breach of morals or ethics. The world sees what it perceives and reacts accordingly which is the success or the failure of a country's policies. Pakistan will do well to get its act together in all important areas and stand on its own feet before the international community will grant it the importance it so desires. There is no more room for 'denials'.
Nuclear proliferation could be for economic reasons or for radical religious reasons. China's proliferation is for economic reasons and though the world community does not like it, it tolerates it. On the other hand no one (including China) will tolerate proliferation on the basis of religion. In Pakistan's case, the country has become far too extremist providing all sorts of support for terror groups. OBL is found to be living in Pakistan very close to a major Army institution. 9/11 planner Khalid Sheikh was found in Karachi. The Islamabad Shoora (Parliament) offers funeral prayer to OBL and praises Mumtaz Qadri. Constitution is full of discrimination for all non-muslims. Hate literature in school text books are increasing. Courts ban Ahmedi manufactured products. Lawyers shower rose petals on Mumtaz Qadri. Chief Justice takes suo-moto action on Atiqa Odho. Chief Justice issues Fatwa like verdicts and provides supports to forced conversion of under aged hindu girls. Blasphemy charges are filed almost on a daily basis. Afia Siddiqi is called Daughter of the Nation and Asia Bibi is still rotting in jail. Rimsha has to be moved to undisclosed location. Dr. Afridi still languishes in jail and Polio vaccination is banned and vaccinators are shot. Entire townships of Christian homes are burnt down and no action is taken. Law enforcing agencies provide support for such atrocities. Courts keep quiet. Shias are killed regularly. Malik Ishaq who admits to killing hundreds of Shias goes on Haj Pilgrimage after killing Shias and is praised by his followers who number in hundreds of thousands. Pakistan's former UN representative writes column in newspaper threatening US and says that US should know that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are not just for use against India. Popular Parliamentarian Sheikh Rasheed frequently threatens that Pakistan shall use its nuclear weapons. Imran Khan's progressive party calls for release of Mumtaz Qadri and that too in the Assembly. Parliament and Assembly finds it fit to discuss these issues. It was the serving and retired Generals who proliferated nuclear technology to other Islamic countries. Parliamentarians and elected representatives are sympathetic to terrorists and terrorists from all over the world come to Pakistan for training and sanctuary. Army provides support and training to terrorists to conduct terror operations in other countries such as Mumbai attacks and courts of Pakistan provides legal cover to these terrorists. The list goes on and on.
World community will therefore not allow transfer of nuclear technology to such a radicalized nation (if you can call it a Nation). In any case why should the West give this technology to Pakistan when Pakistan is threatening to use it against the West itself. Pakistan sees everything as muslin or non-muslim. They gloat that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and want the entire world to become muslims. It is this radicalization that the world is more concerned. Had Pakistan proliferated the knowhow to others just for economic reasons, the world would not be that much concerned.
Golden Rule: ‘Who has the Gold, makes the Rule’. What do you have ... not even a clean record?
To all Indian Commentators It is very sad to comprehend that your comments imitate the type of mindset you have towards Pakistan. I do value you comments regarding nuclear proliferation, but why on earth you forgot about the famous term "FOURTH CUSTOMER." Please people/trolls make a healthy research on this term. And I am also fed up of the kind of trolling from Indian commentators on my blog, The End of Cold Start Doctrine? http://pakteahouse.net/2013/06/19/the-end-of-cold-start-doctrine/
To all Indian Commentators
It is very sad to comprehend that your comments imitate the type of mindset you have towards Pakistan. I do value you comments regarding nuclear proliferation, but why on earth you forgot about the famous term "FOURTH CUSTOMER." Please people/trolls make a healthy research on this term. And I am also fed up of the kind of trolling from Indian commentators on my blog, The End of Cold Start Doctrine? http://pakteahouse.net/2013/06/19/the-end-of-cold-start-doctrine/
India has been outside the international nuclear mainstream since it violated the peaceful use commitments it made to Canada and U.S. by using a Canadian-supplied reactor and U.S.-supplied heavy water to conduct its 1974 nuclear bomb test, refused to sign the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and conducted additional nuclear tests in 1998. India made its choice and, as a result, it has been cut off from U.S. civilian nuclear cooperation since 1978 and most international assistance since 1992, when the Nuclear Suppliers Group adopted the comprehensive, full-scope safeguards standard for nuclear exports. we witnessed another example of nepotism in an annual meeting of the Nuclear Supply Group (NSG).What are the steps taken by the NSG to assure that India will not use this favour for military purposes? Is it to counter China’s role in the Asian region? Will it not further tilt the power balance and further destabilise relations among the regional countries? There is a need to have equal treatment in South Asia, especially where Pakistan is concerned.
Perceptions about Pakistan's nuclear program cannot be made fine with a single piece of paper. Why are we so demented regarding Indian nuclear ambitions. What I personally believe, you cannot make a good perception of Pakistan while criticizing/defaming Indian nuclear program to get sympathies for Pakistan’s nuclear program. Why are you so much sympathetic about Pakistan nuclear program. Why on earth you forget to mention A.Q. Khan Network run from Pakistan in the Past. The 100 million deal with Libya, P1 transformation to Iran. Too defend everything is to defend nothing. Please!
it is hard to accept but in all honesty the author might be right. We cant protect our people from floods, provide elctricity, food and shelter yet we pursue naked nuclerization. 300 million of us are without electricity and 60% live below poverty line, yet we live in our bollywood dream.
Pakistan has constructed a robust case for civilian nuclear technology transfer from western countries for its energy needs but western countries have been dragging their feet. If India, the primary proliferators, could be given such an allowance by the NSG, why Pakistan be destitute from it. We must keep in mind that by Indo-US nuclear deal US had not only violated the NPT, but had also violated the Hyde Act 2006. NSG members should push hard to guarantee that significant nonproliferation issues grow from the Indo-US deal.
The author was not born when Dr Khan started his Nuclear discount shop... so he does not know about it ... and Pakistani history books mention only about Indian 1974 Nuclear Test.. same as after Mughals there was British era...
Cry baby cry.
If Pakistan sees India through a different prism from what the World sees in it, so be it, no need for angst. You would do well for Pakistan by analyzing why the World loves India. It is quite unfortunate that HATE is tearing you and many others of your ilk apart. Please see your quote :-
"The quintessential criterion for the NSG membership is a good non-proliferation record and adherence to international non-proliferation treaties like the NPT, as well as other bilateral or multilateral agreements. It also entails support to international efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). India fails on both these accounts."
So we must all believe that India proliferated because you think so, even though facts state otherwise. Nice !
India here Hindustan there Bharat everywhere Pakistan can't stop her anywhere
Pakistan so hysterical to see India the miracle
Admission to NSG is the welcoming gift that these countries are keeping in reserve. They (including China) are all eagerly awaiting for Modi to take Premiership in India. India got the technology for itself and it did not proliferate to others recklessly and that too on a religious basis. Now that India has got the technology, it will be beneficial for NSG to admit India so that India can usefully contribute to checking proliferation of nuclear technology to radicalized blocks that keep preaching Ummah.
Pakistanis can keep winning. :-)
Ali Mustafa sahib u gonna get lot of backlash for telling this kind of truth be ready man.
@Author: The article is ridiculous banter with no basis in fact. . India has a strong nuclear non-proliferation record. You seem to disagree, but you have provided no evidence to the contrary and I am sure you will not find it. As far as Pakistan, the less said the better. Do I really need to remind you of Abdul Qadeer Khan's rogue network, shipping of blueprints, centrifuges and other components to North Korea and Iran and the suspicion of the rest of the world that he was just the fall guy as most of the shipments were done with military aircraft? . Since you sought to confabulate nuclear arms with chemical weapons, I should remind you that India signed the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997 and has veritably destroyed 100% of her chemical weapon stockpile 12 years later in 2009 becoming one of only 3 countries to destroy all 100%. . As far as the 1992 treaty between India and Pakistan, I wonder why you hold that in high value when most other treaties have been reneged by Pakistan. I am not entirely sure if the treaty has a clause for the declaration of chemical stockpiles. From memory, I don't remember seeing one. . Now coming to why the ones who set up the NSG and who opposed India earlier are now in support of India, too much water has passed under the bridge now and India has not indulged in nuclear non-proliferation in the meantime. Simple!
In 1975, in order to curtail such gross misuse, Canada, France, West Germany, Japan, Soviet Union, the US and the UK got together and formed the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The purpose was to regulate the nuclear trade so further diversions like India’s don’t take place.
While you were looking the other way the NSG failed in its avowed purpose.
North Korea went Nuclear.
And, it helped Pakistan go nuclear.
And, Pakistan started a discount shop of nuclear know how.
India did not.
Arnt you a few years too late with this article? India never ratified the agreement with the US and there is hardly any uptake in nuclear supplies to India. And what does this mean: "no punishment will ensue if you provide good economics."?