Saman Wasae
May 1974, the world was in awe and shock. How could India test a nuclear weapon? United States-sponsored “Atoms for Peace Program” was the civilian nuclear technology that led to the Indian nuclear tests. The seven supplier states, shocked by this development already the signatories of Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), decided to put tighter controls in place hence the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was formed. The 5 nuclear powers and 43 other countries are currently members. The NSG guidelines aim at ensuring that international trade in the field of nuclear technology is not exploited towards development of nuclear weapons. The guidelines have a “trigger list”, a list of physical protection, safeguards, special controls on sensitive exports, controls on materials usable for nuclear arms, controls in retransfers ethat minimizes the risk of exploitation of such materials in developing nuclear weapons. What has lead to our sudden interest in NSG? Well, the fact that the very reason why this group came into being is now knocking on its door. Yes! India wants to become a member. Over the years India has garnered support from UK, US, France, Switzerland, Canada and Mexico to name a few. NPT and China are the two main hindrances in Indian entry into NSG. Very recently Indian foreign Secretary Mr. Jaishankar went to China to convince them to vote for India. For NSG membership there must be consensus amongst all member countries, obviously China is not going to let that happen. The second biggest hurdle in India’s way is the fact that they have not signed NPT. In order to counter NPT, India’s foreign office is working hard to convince all countries to make an exception in their case. Pakistan too formally applied on May 20, 2016. Our foreign office defended being second to apply as strategy. They claim that in comparison with India they have a much stronger case and the intentional delay was planned. In terms of a “criteria based approach” Pakistan wants to a have a stronger case for entry than India. It has Russia, New Zealand and South Korea in addition to China on its side.
If India becomes part of NSG, the first and foremost No matter what Ms. Sushma Sauraj says India cannot be trusted to let Pakistan enter NSG, once they are in. This is assured purely out of our track record with India so far on everything. Secondly India gets a stamp of approval officially by the World post their nuclear tests as nuclear power, despite being a non signatory of NPT. Indians may have greater access to Uranium and other fuels for better energy options. In addition to this the commercial applications in the form of nuclear products when exported to other countries will greatly serve to augment their economy. The intentions of United States seem to be vague. There are certain things that are obvious. Firstly the stronger the US-India ties become, the greater access US would have to the huge Indian market comprising of a growing middle class and massive human resource potential. In short US “invest” in India to grease its own rusting economy. Secondly China is a power that has to be hindered in all possible ways, making India stand up against China is a necessity for the US. China will take all steps necessary to block India from gaining strength via NSG. This is one of the main reasons why they will side with Pakistan on the issue and will try to ensure that India does not get her way. One of the things that have also emerged in this entire scenario is Canadian interest in Indian membership. This only time will tell whether the support is due to India’s strong foreign policy or Canadian interests. Pakistan must be keen on this show of respect. Given that Indians have been working on NSG since 2010 leaves the common man to question Pakistan’s over all readiness towards all obstacles hurled at us from across all our borders. Lack of depth in our leadership has led to a compromised foreign policy that has left us stranded on many occasions. No matter what our foreign office claims NSG seems to be one such instance. Many would say that the continuous honeymoon with US is behind all the right moves from India. Pakistan too is a partner with China. Why do we not optimally enjoy our strategic position as a nation? Whether it is a bolted door or an opportunity waiting to bless us, only time will tell what will happen to our ambitions with this group. One thing that seems pretty clear at the moment is that India will be formally blocked by China. To counter this India is currently trying to follow a two pronged strategy by making China the lone opposition to their entry and convince all countries to let them pass as a non signatory of NPT. NSG member countries too should consider the risks to their vision if they decide to side with India, especially the likely arms race such an inclusion can bring about. It is high time that countries like the US are stopped from endangering the global world order for serving self interest.
