Indian unsafeguarded plutonium can produce 300-400 bombs

Indian unsafeguarded plutonium can produce 300-400 bombs

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Indications suggest that the Indian quest for membership of NSG is not economically driven. The Norms have also lost its significance. The Obama administration violated article one of NPT by supplying nuclear technology to countries, which violated the non-proliferation regime. It also violated UNSC resolution 1540 (2004). During January 2013 Carter Ashton’s visit to India, New Delhi displayed all its missiles system except Agni-5, which can hit with nuclear weapons major American cities. India continues vertical proliferation. During the last 8 years, India did not live to its commitment. However, the trend is not in favor of India. Switzerland, Ireland, Austria and China continue to oppose Indian entry to NSG.

Those were the highlights of a talk delivered by Dr. Zafar Jaspal, Associate Professor at School of Politics and International Relations, QAU. He was a guest speaker of a monthly In-House Seminar on “India’s NSG Politics” organized by SVI with Professor Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema as Chair and moderator.

The second speaker was Kamran Akhtar, Director General Disarmament, Foreign Office. In his speech, Akhtar highlighted the strategic and economic dimension of Indian quest for membership of NSG. He doubted Indian success in its scheme since many countries question Indian credential as a responsible nuclear state including Brazil and South Africa. He disclosed that eight Indian reactors, which were for the peaceful use of nuclear energy are not under international safeguard and that the Indian nuclear program had produced  two tons of plutonium, which can make 300-400 nuclear bombs.

Dr. Cheema maintains that India was enjoying all benefits of NSG even as it had not been an official member of NSG thanks to the 2008 US waiver. According to him, the Indian quest for membership in NSG is aimed at blocking Pakistan’s membership of the group.

Cheema maintained that both India and Pakistan would carry nuclear tests to examine their nuclear weapons after a long period of 17 years moratorium. He also advised the government not to sign CTBT even if India signed it since Pakistan needed to test its tactical nuclear weapons.  

The talks and Question -Answer session included also off the record insights and comments.

Sadia Kazmi, Shahzadi Tooba Hussain Sayed, Saima Ali, Al Najam ul Al Saquib, Asma Khalid, Meimona Ashraf, and Noman Hassan were the behind-the-scene organizers of the event.