Sir: Since the early 1970s, many ‘technology denial and control’ cartels, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), were introduced to control nuclear weapons technology. The irony lies in the fact that, despite India’s blatant refusal to sign major non-proliferation obligations like the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the US and UK are facilitating New Delhi’s entry into the NSG. The NSG was created in 1975 as a consequence of India’s proliferation and testing of a nuclear weapon in 1974. Pakistan could have also cheated the Atoms for Peace programme and used radioactive materials to make a bomb but acted responsibly. It was only after India’s 1974 test that Pakistan was forced to pursue a nuclear weapons programme for its legitimate security concerns. Though Pakistan did not partake in the NPT obligation due to its discriminatory nature, it has championed the non-proliferation cause. Pakistan supported the initial drafts of the NPT and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and proposed a strategic restraint regime in South Asia. It is an active participant of almost all non-proliferation initiatives and observes UNSC Resolution 1540 in letter and spirit. Yet, Islamabad remains in the spotlight for its so-called proliferation history related to the A Q Khan network. The network operated covertly outside government control and all appropriate measures were taken in 2004 against it and to avoid proliferation in the future. Conversely, the members of the network from other states only received a slap on the wrist.
It is ironic to note that state-to-state proliferation continues in clear violation of global non-proliferation norms and state export control laws. In 2006, the US chaperoned 46 members of the NSG to grant a waiver to India for trade in nuclear materials. If that is the criterion, Pakistan is also eligible to participate in the NSG and it has made a strong pitch. Unfortunately, for political and geo-economic reasons, Islamabad has not received the same attention. This NSG waiver is actually a major violation of Article IV and VI of the NPT, which states that the principle of non-discrimination should be applied to all states and to pursue negotiations towards general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. The rationale for the formation of the NSG will lose its credence if only one state is granted membership and there is no uniformity in criteria. As a result, the apartheid in the non-proliferation regime will also be vindicated.
The US-India nuclear deal, which grants India special rights and privileges — that many states of good standing under the NPT do not enjoy — has irked many members of the NPT, who find such an exception to be an infringement of their rights. Such discrimination will lay the foundation of the ultimate demise of the NPT. Indian entry into the NSG will have implications for Pakistan as it will help India build huge stockpiles of fissile material from its indigenous resources and will indirectly legitimise it in the non-proliferation regime. There is a need to have equal treatment in South Asia, especially where Pakistan is concerned. These developments may lead to an arms race in a triangular equation in the region affecting Pakistan, India and China. This superpower behaviour is irrational and is double-speak — they pretend to be the guardians of international peace and security, and promote proliferation too. The NSG membership to India will create a new form of discrimination, which will effectively kill the spirit of nonproliferation.
TANZEELA DUBEREINER
Tubingen,
Germany