India calls for IAEA’s Watch on Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal

Context

The Union Defence Minister was concerned over the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and called for its supervision by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

About Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal

• Pakistan has attempted to leverage its nuclear status against India. 
• While India follows a no-first-use policy on the subject of nuclear weapons, Pakistan doesn’t have any such said policy of restraint.
• Pakistan first tested nuclear weapons in 1998 in response to nuclear assessments by India. 
• Pakistan has massively improved its nuclear forces and remains outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime; the country is also a main source of proliferation issues.
• It is thought to possess an arsenal of about 170 nuclear warheads.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• • It is an international organisation that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy whilst working to prevent its use for military purposes, which include nuclear weapons.
  • It was set up in 1957.
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
  • Membership: 180 (as of 15 November 2024).
  • Motto: “Atoms for Peace and Development”.
  • Main Objective: Promote Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.
    • IAEA Safeguards are embedded in legally binding agreements. 
    • These safeguards are widespread by the states after the trust of such agreements with the organization.
  • In 2005, the IAEA and its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, had been provided the Nobel Peace Prize for their work for a more secure and more peaceful world.

• Role: 

• • Nuclear Safeguards and Verification: Monitors nuclear programs of member states to ensure they are not diverted to weapon programs, in particular under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • Nuclear Safety and Security: Assists countries in strengthening nuclear security standards, responding to emergencies, and stopping nuclear terrorism.
  • Technical Cooperation: Provides technical help to growing international locations to apply nuclear technology for sustainable development.
  • Role in Global Affairs: Works closely with the United Nations (UN) (it reports to the UN General Assembly and Security Council).

India and Its Nuclear Safety Commitments

• In 2014, India ratified the Additional Protocol (AP), which granted the IAEA more access to India’s civil nuclear programme. 
• India has signed an item-particular safeguards agreement below the IAEA in conjunction with Pakistan and Israel.
• They are nuclear-energy states that aren’t a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
• India also modified its export laws as per the NSG, MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, and Australia Group — the four key nuclear control regimes.

India-Pakistan Nuclear Installation Agreement

• Signed in 1988 and brought into force in 1991, Non-nuclear aggression agreement (NAA) commits the 2 countries to abstain from attacking each other’s civilian nuclear facilities. 
• It requires an annual change of the exact places by latitude and longitude of energy plants, enrichment labs, isotope separation devices, and any site holding a big amount of radioactive material.
• The goal is to avoid triggering a nuclear disaster. However, the agreement does not mandate specific disclosures about the character or activities of those facilities.
• India has time and again proposed expanding the settlement to include a pledge not to target civilian and financial infrastructure, however Pakistan has continually rejected such proposals.

Conclusion

• Pakistan’s loss of a declared no-first-use nuclear policy, in assessment to India’s commitment to this sort of doctrine, contributes to strategic instability in South Asia, raising the risk of escalation in the event of a warfare. 
• Pakistan uses its nuclear functionality to counter India’s conventional military side, however its unrestrained doctrine highlights the need for self assurance-constructing, communication, and local hands control to keep long-term peace and balance.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Prelims Practice Question 

Q. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not? (2020)

(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium

(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies

(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises

(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately owned

Ans: (b)

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