Nuclear proliferationNuclear cooperation with non-NPT member states debated
The United States, Britain, and the Czech Republic have all backed a Dutch paper tied to the meeting last week of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which urges closer ties with nuclear-capable countries outside of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), including Israel, Pakistan, and India. Opponents of the Dutch proposal say it would legitimize the proliferation of nuclear weapons, while supporters say the proposal merely recognizes reality.
The United States, Britain, and the Czech Republic have all backed a Dutch paper tied to the meeting last week of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which urges closer ties with nuclear-capable countries outside of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), including Israel, Pakistan, and India.
Arguing that the contemporary era is seeing an increased risk of the spread of nuclear technology and weapons into the hands of terrorist and militant groups, countries like the United States are urging more cooperation and transparency with less cooperative nuclear powers for the greater good.
Yahoo! News reports that the paper outlines the need for change in the current context. “With technology progressing at an ever increasing rate, globalised supply chains, and more and more countries developing nuclear and dual use capabilities, the possibility of trade in nuclear related goods between governments not participating in the NSG is becoming more and more likely,” the paper says, going on to recommend that “In order to stay ahead of the curve, the NSG’s goals – to control the export of nuclear sensitive goods — might be best served by an open-minded approach aimed at cooperation with non-NSG members and promoting transparency of the NSG guide-lines.”
These sentiments come at a controversial time, as Israel is outside of the pact and believed to be the only owner of nuclear weapons in the tense Middle East region.
Yahoo! News quotes an unnamed former Israeli official to say that, “Israel for years had tried to get the NSG to recognize it as a so-called adherent country on the strength of the justified truth that Israel is a responsible state,” echoing the sentiment that the country fulfills the guidelines to be just that, according to the NPT. Others, including the United States and Britain, make the case that India would also qualify for that distinction.
The situation, however, remains difficult, as countries that have not signed the treaty are wary of having to dismantle and destroy their arsenals.
It is still unclear how the paper was received at the meeting. “I’m sure a number of partners will have quite a few questions, will be reluctant on certain issues,” said one envoy to the news service, “It is a very sensitive and difficult question.”
