On the eve of Indian prime minister’s visit to the United States – during which the Obama Administration is expected to back India’s search for securing membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group – a major newspaper has counseled against making special “exception” for the South Asian country.
“If it (India) wants recognition as a nuclear weapons state, it should be required to meet the nuclear group’s standards, including opening negotiations with Pakistan and China on curbing nuclear weapons and halting the production of nuclear fuel for bombs,” The New York Times said in an editorial: ‘No Exceptions for Nuclear India.’
The NSG will host a meeting in Vienna on June 9 that will consider New Delhi’s application for membership of the body – a decision that must take place through consensus.
Meanwhile, neighboring Pakistan, which also has an expanding nuclear weapons program linked to Indian strategic plans, has also applied for membership of the forum.
Ahead of the June 9 meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to seek endorsement for India’s inclusion in the NSG during visits to Western countries including Switzerland, the United States. and Mexico. Modi will have talks with President Obama during his visit beginning June 6.
Switzerland and Mexico have long opposed awarding NSG membership to countries that do not meet criterion of non-proliferation commitment. China has also set membership of non-proliferation treaty (NPT) as a preondition for supporting any new inclusions in the 48-member Group that deals with nuclear trade.
China, India and Pakistan all have nuclear weapons and border one another in a region that has active border disputes including Kashmir. While India and China are vying for regional supremacy, relations between India and Pakistan have been stalemated with no bilateral dialogue to address roots of their multiple conflicts.
In Washington, India is seen as a counterweight to a rising China.
The Times editorial cited some of the challenges facing Indian bid and its implications for the region, where Pakistan might find a reason to take decisions if New Delhi gets exceptional treatment, despite advancement in US-India relations.
“The problem, however, is that the (US) relationship with India rests on a dangerous bargain. 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. In 2008, President George W. Bush signed a civilian nuclear deal with India that allowed it to trade in nuclear materials. This has encouraged Pakistan to keep expanding a nuclear weapons program that is already the fastest growing in the world.
“Now, India has Mr. Obama’s strong support in its bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a 48-nation body that governs trade in nuclear-related exports and aims to ensure that civilian trade in nuclear materials is not diverted for military uses. Membership would enhance India’s standing as a nuclear weapons state, but it is not merited until the country meets the group’s standards.
“All group members have signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, either as nuclear weapons states (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China) or as non-nuclear weapons states (everybody else). India has refused, which means it has not accepted legally binding commitments to pursue disarmament negotiations, halt the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and not test nuclear weapons,” it said.
The newspaper also recalls that President (George W.) Bush squandered an opportunity to demand more of India when he signed the 2008 deal, which opened the door to American trade in nuclear technology for civilian energy.
“As part of the 2008 deal, the Indians promised they would be “ready to assume the same responsibilities and practices” as other nations with advanced nuclear technology. But they have fallen far short by continuing to produce fissile material and to expand their nuclear arsenal.”
