Islamabad, May 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):India observes ‘National Technology Day’ on 11 May to mark the anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 but the fact remains that it is the most irresponsible nuclear state of the world. The theft of over 200 kilograms of nuclear material in the country during last two decades poses a serious threat of nuclear terrorism, necessitating the global powers’ role to raise safety standards in the country, said a report released today by Kashmir Media Service.

It said the regional countries including China and Pakistan have repeatedly called for investigations and strengthening regulations following unabated incidents of theft of nuclear material in India. Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Hua Chunying said, “Nuclear terrorism is the security challenge faced by international community. All governments have the responsibilities to strengthen regulation of nuclear material to combat on nuclear trafficking to ensure the nuclear safety and security”.

The report said, the Indian authorities recovered 2.5kg Uranium in 1994; 111kg in 1998; 59.1kg in 2000; 200 grams in 2001; 225 grams in 2003; 4kg in 2008; 5kg in 2009; 9kg in 2016; 1kg in 2018 and 13.75kg in 2021 in multiple incidents. “India is ranked 19th in the “theft ranking’ for countries with weapons usable nuclear materials. This reflects the mind-set of the Modi’s regime and the character of the Indian state today,” it said.

The report said the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) made it binding on states to ensure stringent measures to prevent nuclear material from falling into wrong hands. However, it added, increasing cases of nuclear-related incidents have indeed jeopardized India’s aspirations to become de-jure member of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The report pointed out that India has consistently violated UNSC resolutions and has failed to uphold IAEA’s conventions regarding the physical protection of nuclear material. A leading US Non-Proliferation Watchdog, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) nuclear security index gave India the lowest ranking for its poor safety and security of nuclear material.

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