India bill targets spread of nuclear weapons

The Financial Times ^ | May 11 2005 | Ray Marcelo

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Nuclear-armed India introduced a bill into parliament yesterday intended to codify New Delhi's policy to prevent the spread of its nuclear weapons and missile technology to non-nuclear states.

The introduction of the weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems bill comes almost seven years to the day that India defied international pressure and tested a nuclear weapon.

Pranab Mukherjee, defence minister, said: “The provisions of the act apply to export, transfer, re-transfer, transit and trans-shipment of material, equipment or technology relating to weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery.”

Defence analysts say the bill has long been expected and is part of India's efforts to style itself as a “responsible” nuclear power. New Delhi has refused to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and is not subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and inspection. Its policy stems from the belief that the NPT is a discriminatory club.

But the US, part of the five “declared” nuclear weapons powers, has moved closer to recognising India's de facto nuclear status as part of a blossoming “strategic partnership”.

Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, outlined plans during her visit to India in March for a bilateral “energy dialogue” that will almost certainly include talks about nuclear power.

Washington is concerned about New Delhi's nuclear technology export controls. The US has not officially abandoned its policy to persuade India to sign the NPT.

Yesterday's bill may help to allay international concerns about India's nuclear programme, however. Once it becomes law, it is likely to make more public the role of India's secretive Atomic Energy Commission and Defence Research and Development Organisation.

“The legislation is a good thing: it is transparent; it is visible; it makes our [nuclear controls] a public document,” said VP Malik, president of the Observer Research Foundation, a think-tank.

India, unlike neighbouring Pakistan, has not caused proliferation of nuclear technology. New Delhi has also declared its nuclear weapons programme is meant as a deterrent and is bound by a “no first use” policy.

India's nuclear control bill coincides with an international conference on the future of the NPT. Iran and North Korea are under pressure from the US and its allies to abandon their nuclear programmes.

But according to Bharat Karnad, research professor at New Delhi's Centre for Policy Research, the NPT-regime is already “tottering”. “The greatest proliferators are members of the nuclear club. China is the greatest proliferator, and America is second,” he said.

“If India were to play as hard, the potential for Indian mischief is devastating.”

[CarrotAndStick]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/11/newsid_3664000/3664259.stm

May 11, 1998: India explodes nuclear controversy

The Indian government has announced it has carried out a series of underground nuclear tests.

It is the first time India has carried out such tests since 1974.

The experiments took place without any warning to the international community, and there has been widespread outrage and concern over the move.

The test site, in Pokhran in the northern desert state of Rajasthan, is only about 150km (93 miles) from the border with Pakistan.

The two countries have fought three wars since independence with Britain in 1947, mainly over the disputed territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and there are fears the tests could escalate the conflict and spark a regional nuclear arms race.

'Contained explosions'

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee broke the news to journalists in a hastily-convened news conference.

"These were contained explosions like the experiment conducted in May 1974," he said.

"I warmly congratulate the scientists and engineers who have carried out these successful tests."

He said the devices tested were a fission device, a low-yield device and a thermonuclear device. He said there had been no release of radioactivity into the atmosphere.

There was immediate condemnation of the tests from Pakistan.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, said his country had been trying to draw the world's attention to India's nuclear programme.

"As a sovereign and independent nation," he said, "Pakistan will make its own decision on the steps to be taken towards its sovereignty and defence."

Arms race threat

There was already strong diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to show restraint and avoid retaliating - the only hope of avoiding a damaging arms race.

Last month Pakistan tested its own long-range nuclear missile, the Hatf-5, which has a range of up to 1,500km (932 miles).

The tests are said to have contributed to India's decision to launch its own nuclear tests today.

India is known to have developed a short-range nuclear missile, the Prithvi, with a range of 150km (93 miles) but it is working on a much longer range system, the Agni, which could reach targets up to 2,500km (1553 miles) away.

India, Pakistan and Israel are the three nations widely suspected of nuclear capability which have not joined the 1970 nuclear non-proliferation treaty, now observed by 185 countries.

Go to original link on the top of this post to see the video of the tests and other multimedia content.

[CarrotAndStick]

But according to Bharat Karnad, research professor at New Delhi's Centre for Policy Research, the NPT-regime is already “tottering”. “The greatest proliferators are members of the nuclear club. China is the greatest proliferator, and America is second,” he said.

According to this 'research professor', where is Russia with respect to nuclear proliferation?

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Once passed and the enforcement mechanism put in place, this will make it easier for India to pitch for sensitive materials and technologies from countries like the US and Russia.
So as far as indian interests are concerned this is a step in the right direction.