NEW YORK: Pakistan has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to thoroughly probe the “recurring” incidents of theft and illicit sale of nuclear and other radioactive materials in India.
Recently, Indian media reported that police had apprehended three smugglers in the western Gopalganj district of Bihar with a rare Californium stone which is highly radioactive and fetches a high price in the global market.
“The UNSC should be deeply concerned at the recurring incidents of theft as well as illicit sale of nuclear and other radioactive materials in our Eastern neighbour,” Munir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, told a committee set up by the 15-member Council pursuant to its resolution 1540 that needs UN member nations to take specific measures to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
“In the recent incident last August 2024, a group was found in illegal possession of a large quantity of highly radioactive and toxic substance Californium, worth US$ 100 million,” he added, saying that three incidents of theft of Californium were recorded in India in 2021. These incidents, Munir Akram suggested the existence of a black market for highly sensitive materials.
At the same time, Ambassador Munir Akram said, “While preventing non-state actors from acquiring such sensitive materials, rights of States to peaceful use of dual-use technologies must be protected. Export-control regimes should not serve as tools of discrimination and coercion.”
Under the terms of resolution1540, the UNSC demands that all States refrain from providing any form of support to non-state actors that attempt to acquire, develop, possess, manufacture, transfer, transport, or use nuclear, biological or chemical weapons and their means of delivery, in particular for terrorist purposes.
Ambassador Akram said that Pakistan, as a responsible nuclear weapons nation, had participated actively, in the formulation and negotiation of UNSC’s Resolution 1540, and implemented its obligations under it.
He said that Pakistan has established: a robust command and control system; a rigorous legislative, administrative, and enforcement mechanism in order to regulate the transfer of sensitive goods and technologies; and a comprehensive export control regime of the highest global standards.
