CLEAR THREAT OF NUCLEAR TERRORISM

During inquiry Bashiruddin admitted that he met with Osama bin Laden and conduct negotiations to develop nuclear device! In 2004, a shocking truth revealed that Abdul Qadir Khan, father of Pakistan's nuclear technology sold the same to Libya, North Korea and Iran.

-          Keerthiraj

            If History is the story of wars, then Politics is nothing but the story of power management. Global politics is a chain of contradictions and conflicts.  Recently, even petty conflicts leaning towards Nuclear threat is not at all a good development. Nuclear threat is not a new development in world history.  In 1945, America became a Nuclear power with ‘Manhattan project' and its impact on Japan proved that world created its own destroyer. World powers tried to contain the spread of Nuclear weapons. Unfortunately all the attempts proved to be a failure.

            The fourth and last nuclear security summit took place in Washington in the first week of April. As expected nuclear terrorism became the prime concern of the world leaders. Today tens of thousands of nuclear weapons around the globe waiting for destruction. A small mistake is enough to burn the world without any discrimination! Decades ago, the Little Boy and Fat Man destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But they are nothing if we compare the nuclear capacity of 2016. If the Cuban missile crisis brought the world to edge of extinction in 1962, we can imagine what will be the effect of today’s sophisticated nuclear devices.

           

All countries have their own kind of nuclear defence systems. There is no universal nuclear defence system to stop nuke proliferation to terror hands. A small mistake in any country's nuclear defence system can allow terrorists to access nuclear weapons. Recent statements by some terrorist organizations in favour of using nuclear weapons is a warning bell to World powers. Baghdadi’s Islamic State is slowly losing its influence in Iraq and Syria. In its desperate attempt to re-establish its influence, it may be provoked to purchase nuclear weapons. Recently a Belgian nuclear plant worker found dead and his security identity card stolen. Another source reported that two Belgian nuclear plant workers joined Islamic State. Shockingly, recently published Islamic state pamphlet announced terror groups are planning to acquire nuclear devices through bribing corrupt Pakistani officials!

            In January 2001, some nuclear scientists of Pakistan created UTN, a non-governmental organization under the chairmanship of Bashiruddin Mahmood (former head of Pakistan's Khushab plutonium reactor). Later in November 2001, Pakistan’s intelligence agency arrested the members of UTN, including Bashiruddin, under the direction of United States. During inquiry Bashiruddin admitted that he met with Osama bin Laden and conduct negotiations to develop nuclear device! In 2004, a shocking truth revealed that Abdul Qadir Khan, father of Pakistan's nuclear technology sold the same to Libya, North Korea and Iran. According to intelligence reports, al-Qaeda was also keen to have deal with Abdul Qadir Khan, but Khan rejected the demand. These incidents raised serious questions about the credibility of Pakistan regarding proliferation to nuclear technology.

            This is a known fact that Pakistan’s conventional defence is inferior to that of India. Statements of Pakistani leaders made it clear that Pakistan is already to use its ultimate weapon i.e. nuclear bomb to save its interests. Pakistan don’t have any voluntary cuts like India’s nuclear policy of ‘No First Use’. Hopefully, to date no country has showed the irresponsibility of transferring nuclear technology to the hands of terrorists. However, the current global politics is moving towards new dimensions of unexpected twists and turns. To ensure the safety of the world, world powers should be more serious about nuclear non-proliferation and it is the time to think about a ban over nuclear weapons, like biological and chemical weapons.

 KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as a Faculty for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

      (This article was published in Central Chronicle newspaper on 5 May 2016)

A SPECTER HAUNTING SIACHEN

We should look into the broad political dynamics of South Asian politics for a clear picture about Siachen problem. Demilitarization of this may be a direct invitation to China to attack this land.

- KEERTHIRAJ

Whole India mourned the death of brave warrior Hanumanthappa Koppada and his 9 associates in Siachen avalanche. Meanwhile the debate of demilitarizing Siachen glacier reopened with new rigor. Siachen is not only world’s highest battlefield but also the most dangerous one. To date Siachen avalanche swallowed the lives of more than 2000 Indian and Pakistani soldiers and also caused permanent disability to some soldiers. Each moment spending in Siachen is nothing more than losing your lifespan slowly!

Image Source: indianexpress.com

When United Nations declared ceasefire for Indo-Pak war in 1949, Pakistan already occupied one third of Kashmir and named that region as Azad Kashmir (Free Kashmir) and India considered the same area Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK). Then based on NJ9842 ceasefire line was identified. Later, the Simla Agreement of 1972, the Ceasefire line became the Line of Control (LOC). Twelve years later in 1984 Indian army received intelligence information that Pakistani army was planning to capture Saltoro ridge and it provoked Indian army to conquer this mountain range in advance. Pakistan's army has expressed deep dissatisfaction about this attempt of Indian army. Since then, Siachen is victimizing both Indian and Pakistani soldiers without discrimination. On the other hand demand for demilitarizing Siachen is also not a new phenomenon.

Two military powers of South India, instead of contributing towards regional stability, suffering huge losses because of Siachen issue made both India and Pakistan to suffer huge losses. According to the military strategic experts of both countries, this region can hardly relevant for strategic aspirations of both India and Pakistan. The huge resources being spent by both the countries on this area is sheer waste of money and time. Thus, according to most of the strategic experts demilitarizing the area is a better option and profitable for both the sides. First debate in this regard initiated during Rajiv Gandhi regime for the first time. In 1997, Inder Gill, a prominent General of the Indian army in his article, opined that both the countries wasting their precious resources on this strategically irrelevant region. He further suggested India should withdraw army immediately and unilaterally without expecting anything from Pakistani side! In 2012, Pakistani General Kayani also expressed his willingness to demilitarize this area, after 130 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a natural casualty. History proves, it is not the first time demilitarization of Siachen debate has emerged. 

However, because of some obvious reasons, India is not ready to give up its control over the Siachen area. Indian army is not ready to lose its hold over the area, which it conquered after facing enormous losses. Undoubtedly, the root of Siachen problem is traditional rivalry between India and Pakistan. It is evident that Pakistan showed so much of interest to capture Siachen, even during Kargil war. Withdrawal of Indian army directly provides an opportunity to Pakistan to establish links with Chinese dominated Aksai Chin. According to India's retired Maj Gen Dhruv Katoch, Director of the Indian Army’s think tank Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) Dhruv Katoch, we should look into the broad political dynamics of South Asian politics. Further, major General Dhruv warned, demilitarization of this area is a direct invitation to China to attack this land. Even if Pakistan showed interest to withdraw its army, but India learnt so many lessons from history and it is difficult to trust Pakistan. India has to take a middle path, instead of demilitarizing Siachen, we should think about modernizing our defense and new plans to standardize operations of our soldiers.  

        KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as a Faculty for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

     

   (This article was published in Central Chronicle newspaper on 17 February 2016)