NEW DELHI: Even as China refuses to support India’s candidature for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) on the basis of New Delhi’s non-proliferation credentials, it continues to support Pakistan to develop nuclear reactors capable of yielding weapon-grade plutonium.
Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh told the Parliament on Wednesday that the Indian Government has been maintaining constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s national interest the matter.
“Government is also aware of the Chinese assistance to Pakistan in developing the Khushab nuclear reactor that is capable of producing plutonium for use in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons,” the MoS said. Plutonium is better than highly enriched Uranium for building nuclear weapons as less amount of it is required to make an equally potent fission bomb. Hence, plutonium warheads are lightweight to be delivered by nuclear-tipped missiles.
Two nuclear reactors Chashma 1 and 2 are already in operation. Besides this, China has entered agreement with Pakistan to supply two additional nuclear power reactors – Chashma-3 and Chashma – 4. Beijing will also be providing assistance for additional reactors to be built at Chashm, Karachi and third site in Pakistan.
Beijing’s constant assistance to Islamabad’s nuclear programs has been in contravention of its stand on India’s entry to NSG, the 48-member grouping that regulates nuclear trade. Beijing contends that New Delhi being non-signatory to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has been an impediment. However, China turned a blind eye to Pakistan’s track record in nuclear proliferation by supplying nuclear material to North Korea.
Washington-based Arms Control Association in its latest report card 2013-2016 ‘Assessing Progress on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament’ has given China a failing “F Grade” on nuclear weapons related export control. China had become NSG member in 2004, and its national export controls include provisions related to export licensing, control lists, end-user controls, and import controls. The nuclear power reactors supplied by China to Pakistan has not received the consent from the NSG.
China had signed a contract to supply to nuclear reactors to Pakistan in 2003, a year before it became NSG member. However, the contract for one more nuclear reactor it is supplying was signed in 2013. In a 2015 conference Beijing confirmed that China has provided assistance in building of 6 reactors in Pakistan.