Today, nuclear energy is the second-largest clean and low-carbon energy source after hydro. Currently, 450 nuclear reactors are producing 11% of the total electricity worldwide. In the next five to six years, when 60 reactors now under construction and 150-160 additionally planned are also commissioned, half of the power needs of the world will be met through nuclear energy. Therefore, there is immense trade potential for technology, services, material and equipment in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
On April 3 in Akkuyu, Turkey, construction began on the country’s first nuclear power plant. With capacity to generate 4,800 megawatts of electricity, the plant will be operational by 2023 at an estimated cost of around US$20 billion.
Just guess what Pakistan’s share in this historic project is, given that Islamabad enjoys exceptionally good relations with Ankara and its excellence in nuclear technology is very well established, from power generation to the building of nuclear weapons.
You would be amazed to know that Pakistan’s share is zero. The nuclear plant is being solely built by Russia.
This is because Pakistan is not part of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and is not licensed to export nuclear-related services, equipment or material, not even for civil use, to any country. This is a real diplomatic challenge to Pakistan and needs to be immediately reviewed.
The NSG was created after India exploded a nuclear device in 1974. It was alleged that nuclear technology transferred by Russia to India for peaceful purposes was misused to make nuclear bombs. India at that time was in the Soviet sphere of influence, so the United States voiced strong concerns against nuclear proliferation. Indian had neither accepted International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards on its nuclear facilities nor signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Later, when India drifted into the American camp, US president George W Bush signed a nuclear deal with New Delhi in October 2008, and eight years later, in 2016, president Barack Obama announced open support for India’s joining the NSG. The only reason for favoring India was that it is a vast market and has the cash. And quite often, for the sake of dollars, international covenants and laws are trampled.
The New York Times in an editorial on June 4, 2016, “No exceptions for a nuclear India”, advocated criteria-based policy for all nations and termed the new development a dangerous bargain for nuclear non-proliferation. The newspaper opined that “for years, the United States has sought to bend the rules for India’s nuclear program to maintain India’s cooperation on trade and to counter China’s growing influence.”
A recent report by US think-tank the Belfer Center at the Harvard Kennedy School declared the Indian nuclear program “unsafe.” The report identified different problems arising from the commitment gaps of India made after its nuclear deal. The independent US report emphasized India’s separation plan for civilian and military nuclear facilities and its safeguard agreements for the sake of peace in the region.
India has been trying hard to get an exception to join NSG whereas not only China but other countries including Turkey, New Zealand, South Africa and Austria are insisting on making no exception for India to join NSG without signing the NPT. Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, too, cannot be ruled out in India’s disappointment over not being able to join the NSG.
Pakistan formally applied for NSG membership on May 19, 2016, and informed its chairman in writing that it “attaches high priority to nuclear safety and security. It has taken legal, regulatory and administrative measures to bring nuclear safety and security at par with international standards.”
Pakistan further stated that “its export control regime is underpinned by strong legislation, regulatory and enforcement mechanisms. The national export control lists are harmonized with the control lists of NSG, MTCR [Missile Technology Control Regime] and Australia Group.”
Pakistan’s plan to become an NSG member has come under a cloud after recently imposed sanctions by the US. The sanctions include a ban on seven different Pakistani companies over suspected links to their nuclear trade. From time to time negative cautions about the security of Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure have been fashioned by the Indian lobby.
The issues raised on the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear program seem agenda-driven rather than an academic or scholarly exercise. Pakistan has developed security and safety systems with the help of the United States
The issues raised on the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear program seem agenda-driven rather than an academic or scholarly exercise. Pakistan has developed security and safety systems with the help of the United States, particularly after the A Q Khan scandal over illegally trading nuclear secrets to other countries in 2004.
An elite security division for nuclear safety and security has been established that is much bigger than the mechanized infantry division. To prevent accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons, it has been ensured that the nuclear warheads are stored at different locations from non-nuclear assemblies. Furthermore, one can count the number of people on one’s fingers who know exactly where Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are stored. These are some of the arrangements of the Pakistan National Command Authority.
Pakistan has now reached the pinnacle of excellence in nuclear technology. Robert Ashley, the director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, confirmed that “in January 2017, Pakistan has conducted the first test launch of its nuclear-capable Ababeel ballistic missile, demonstrating South Asia’s first multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) payloads.” MIRVs allow a single missile to deliver multiple warheads against different targets.
India and Pakistan, though struggling to join the 48-nation NSG for many years, are still outside of that circle of trust. This is because of a zero-sum game being played between India and Pakistan. Both countries are deprived of economic growth through export of expertise, manpower and infrastructure, as well as the ability to supply NSG-controlled items, goods and services for a full range of nuclear applications even for peaceful uses.
France was non-NPT when it became a member of the NSG in 1974. However, later, in 1992, France signed the NPT. Even the NPT allows civil nuclear cooperation with non-NPT countries.
India and Pakistan are nuclear-weapons states and the world should recognize this fact. Both countries have sizable nuclear arsenals, and therefore, Pakistan and India both should sign the NPT immediately. The zero-sum game between India and Pakistan must come to an end for the betterment of the masses.
The militaries of Pakistan and India have nuclear weapons and there is visible horizontal and vertical growth in both countries. Not allowing them to join the NSG only works against the common folk who are not being allowed to benefit from peaceful nuclear trade and services.
Nuclear power is one way we can reduce air pollution from coal-fired power plants. Joining the NSG would give Pakistan and India better access to low-cost, clean nuclear energy – important for their economic growth. Pakistan in particular could overcome its economic difficulties by earning billions of dollars if it were allowed to join the NSG and export its expertise for peaceful nuclear programs.
It is time for Pakistan and India to cooperate in this important issue.
Process innovation does not TRUMP product and technology innovation.Lastly, all the processes that you named are Japanese not Chinese.
Process innovation does not TRUMP product and technology innovation.Lastly, all the processes that you named are Japanese not Chinese.
Syed Fazal Abbas What you are forgetting is you are still clamouring for Western Paradigm, like UN, like NSG, like Wasser Group, like MTCR. Your majority export is still with West.
Just because you are buying chinese weapons (Because no one else wants to give it to you and you have no options since you have no money either to buy). Your weapons story is like that of failed Al-khalid (Your army is too proud to admit the failure) yet looking for T-90s. What you are forgetting is that None of their weapons are batle tested. Its like a chinese bike that ticks all the features bos but does not perform on the road.
Syed Fazal Abbas What you are forgetting is you are still clamouring for Western Paradigm, like UN, like NSG, like Wasser Group, like MTCR. Your majority export is still with West.
Just because you are buying chinese weapons (Because no one else wants to give it to you and you have no options since you have no money either to buy). Your weapons story is like that of failed Al-khalid (Your army is too proud to admit the failure) yet looking for T-90s. What you are forgetting is that None of their weapons are batle tested. Its like a chinese bike that ticks all the features bos but does not perform on the road.
India will definately be there. Not sure about Pakistan. If given enough incentive to China they would agree and like in case of FATF.
India will definately be there. Not sure about Pakistan. If given enough incentive to China they would agree and like in case of FATF.
Muhammad Fayyaz Ha ha – one can only laugh at this comment. You think India does not have nukes? You think India has 12kT nukes like pakistan? What you are forgetting is that India has 60,000 Kgs of Uranium and lots of plutonium and each of her bombs is in excess of 65kT unlike puny ones form pakistan.
Muhammad Fayyaz Ha ha – one can only laugh at this comment. You think India does not have nukes? You think India has 12kT nukes like pakistan? What you are forgetting is that India has 60,000 Kgs of Uranium and lots of plutonium and each of her bombs is in excess of 65kT unlike puny ones form pakistan.
Yes, you are right, Pakistan will be automatically denuclearized after dropping all it possesses on India, after that Pakistanis don’t need to keep or develop any nukes .
In the first place do not compare India with a doomed/failed state like pakistan. India has always been responsible on nuclear. Pakistan got the blue print from china, AQKhan sold centrifuge technology to N.Korea in exchange for Missile technology. He was planning to sell again to arab countries & got caught. India is already a part of other groups & will join NSG soon but no chance for pakistan rather it will be denuclearized after N.Korea. Pakistan with huge debt & now in a debt trap cannot be trusted with corruption everywhere. Whereas Indians are globally proving their skills like Google, Microsoft etc. Did I mention Mars mission & our own GPS system? Better pakistan concentrate on water & food crisis, debt trap, corruption, Exports(not terrorism), health(polio & crying for Indian VISA), overall self respect.
The world closely keeps an eye on pakistan specially India so don’t try to fool everyone with such articles rather accept your(state) mistakes(like Nawaz did) & rectify to saveguard your existence as a country on this planet.
Syed Abbas thank you sir. I greatly benefit from your incisive analysis
Syed Abbas don’t think India is in such bad place. It did move from Non Alignment to Multi Alignment.
Not enemy of China, or overtly friendly with USA. Balanced relationships with asean, africa, middle East, Iran and Russia.
Are their any corrections needed vis a vis Pakistan, regarding CPEC , regarding BRI, a more pragmatic less chest thumping approach, sure, yes they are needed. Wuhan was great ice breaker. China India finding ways to address their core interests, mutual respect, adhering to mutual redlines, all this will help.
NSG’s criteria + merit based approach should be acceptable to India and with acceptable timeline to let Pakistan join NSG.
What you say is true, but may not be in 10 years.
Paks are slowly moving out of the outdated Western paradigm. They are learning the Chinese language in droves, and flocking to Asian universities to get real knowledge, while India is digging itself into a hole by getting in bed with the dying West.
Pity India never did make the right move in past 70 years.
India, Pakistan should not be admitted to NSG since neither qualifies or could add value to nuclear knowledge as both have outdated processes and management models from the West that itself has fallen behind the times. West lags Asia, and even Russia in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and materials, and rapidly falling further.
Most of Paks and Indians are Western educated thus worthless in today’s global economy. A colleague in NY State recently lamented that he does not enjoy teaching as students lack the basics. His faculty is being forced to start "Remedial reading" for its graduate students!!! When asked how they got Batchelors in the first place? "They were pushed through", i.e. simply given degrees without knowledge.
Much of Indian nuclear technology is from Canada that has itself dropped out of world nuclear scene. Paks may have made progress in centrifuge technology, but how much can do with stolen processes? India and Pakistan claim to entry is their familiarity with English language, not reason enough. Western ways are simply inefficient, and neither India nor Pakistan are likely to add much to nuclear knowledge in NSG until they cut their links with the West and learn new Asian ways.
In the meantime Asia has leapfrogged West with qualitative not quantitative change. World’s new technological and industrial model is Asian – new processes, new materials, new paradigm. Our 1980s research on comparing Western and Asian manufacturing and management concluded that knowledge is not culture neutral, but societal specific. All innovations in past 50 years (TQC, JIT, FMS, Robotics, Kanban, Keizan, even AI) are Asian, and West’s inability to implement them led to their industrial decline and trade deficit.
A past Prof of Engg and Bus, having worked in past on Canada’s Nuclear Generating Station designs.
Do you morons realize that free or cheap internet and free porn on them has exacerbated the problem of molestations in India? If main stream movies and actors start depecting such nonsense in cinema houses, it will only worsen the problem.
There is a strong case for India to join the NSG, and there is a stronger case for Pakistan to be put in a DOG house worst then what North Korea has been in. The terrorist nation needs to be forced to give up their nukes and disband its Army.
Under present circumstances both of these countries will not be accepted into NSG. label that Pakistan rather AQK rom Pakistan is a nuclear prolifarator and that India has broken all the trust from 1974 & 1998. Safety aspect India has real blow the bar record and it’s new deal with U.S is complete violation of all nuclear waponization norms.
Pakistan never tires comparing itself with India. Let’s leave propaganda and get real, if not for Chinese opposition, India would already be in NSG.
Pakistan and China can harp on rules based inclusion. But it will be at best rules and merit based inclusion. India now has 10 year history with waiver and whole structure for nuclear commerce behind it. It will take at least that much time for Pakistan too.
May be a written agreement between china and NSG including India, on how and when to include Pakistan in NSG might help with rules + merit based approach.
Please do not brush aside AQKhan episode, and islamist jehadis well placed in Pakistan, as nothing. They exist and complicate the situation more than necessary.