Pokhran, 7 years after

Although the National Democratic Alliance is boycotting the Parliament these days, there are good reasons for an immediate approval of the b...

Although the National Democratic Alliance is boycotting the Parliament these days, there are good reasons for an immediate approval of the bill on tightening domestic law on non-proliferation tabled on Tuesday. The essence of The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems Prohibition of Unlawful Activities Bill, 2005 WMD bill underlines a continuation of the nuclear policy initiated by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. After conducting two rounds of nuclear tests on May 11 and 13 seven years ago, Vajpayee focused on two important and interlinked policies 8212; engage the international system to limit the damage from the fallout of the Pokhran tests and strengthen domestic laws on nuclear non-proliferation. Both were rooted on the principle that India is and must be seen as a responsible nuclear weapon power. Having become a declared nuclear weapon state, India was no longer in the business of confronting the world order but finding ways to promote a political reconciliation.

The government8217;s WMD bill expands the nuclear policy of the Vajpayee government by bringing up to speed domestic controls on export of sensitive technologies, material and personnel. In a notification effective April 1, 2000, the NDA government had put in place stronger export controls as part of its nuclear dialogue with the Clinton administration. Last year, following the revelation of the expansive nuclear trafficking by Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan, the United Nations Security Council had adopted resolution 1540, that had called on states to curb the activities of non-state actors in global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The provisions of the WMD bill will bring India8217;s domestic legislation in line with international law.

The urgency for the passage of the WMD bill without an extended debate comes from the fact that India8217;s nuclear diplomacy is now at a delicate stage. The Bush administration has now joined Russia and France in promising an sympathetic consideration of India8217;s interest in acquiring civilian nuclear reactors from the international market. The present regulations on global nuclear commerce do not permit such sales to India. The current nuclear diplomacy with the US, Russia and France, is premised on the idea that India could be exempted from these rules by taking into account New Delhi8217;s impeccable record on non-proliferation. New Delhi might have to take a number of steps to convince the international community to relax the rules on civilian nuclear cooperation with India. Passing the WMD bill will be an important first step.