Vol. 8 No. 2 (2020): A Journal of Strategic Studies, Winter 2020
Articles

Civil Nuclear Energy Programs and the Nonproliferation Paradox in South Asia

Dr. Mansoor Ahmed
Senior Research Fellow at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS)
Bio
Maimuna Ashraf
Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS)
Bio
A Journal of Strategic Studies Summer 2020, CISS Insight Winter 2020
Published February 2, 2021
Keywords
  • Safeguards,
  • Nuclear,
  • Fissile materials,
  • Civil nuclear energy,
  • Reactors,
  • Nuclear fuel cycle
  • ...More
    Less
How to Cite
Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, & Maimuna Ashraf. (2021). Civil Nuclear Energy Programs and the Nonproliferation Paradox in South Asia. CISS Insight Journal, 8(2), P01-26. Retrieved from https://journal.ciss.org.pk/index.php/ciss-insight/article/view/194

Abstract

Civilian nuclear energy programs in India and Pakistan benefited from international cooperation until India’s 1974 nuclear test that led to the genesis of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and nonproliferation efforts led by the United States. While Pakistan’s civilian nuclear energy program (under IAEA safeguards) was slowed down under the impact of nonproliferation sanctions between 1974-1989, India was able to secure an exceptional waiver from the NSG in 2008 and much of its dual-use civilian nuclear energy program remains outside safeguards. This has led to an exponential increase in India’s latent nuclear capabilities, primarily due to the selective application of nonproliferation norms by the nuclear supplier states.