A growing global concern for safety and security

India’s nuclear ambitions have long been a matter of regional and international concern. Since its first successful nuclear test in 1974, India has steadily built up its nuclear arsenal and infrastructure, positioning itself as a major player in the global nuclear landscape. However, recent concerns about the safety and oversight of India’s nuclear program are raising alarm bells not only among neighboring countries, but also within the international community.

This includes concerns about the possibility of nuclear material falling into the wrong hands and the potential misuse of India’s fast-growing nuclear technology. These concerns are exacerbated by the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) increasing scrutiny of India’s activities, especially regarding its financial governance and potential links to nuclear proliferation. As these concerns grow, it is critical that we ask whether India’s nuclear program is really as safe as it claims to be.

India’s nuclear infrastructure is extensive and includes both civilian and military applications. Despite this, India has yet to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which many countries rely on as a guarantor of global nuclear stability. Without such a commitment, India’s nuclear activities remain opaque and lack the level of transparency that global nuclear watchdogs consider essential for ensuring safety.

India’s nuclear program, while important, is fraught with concerns about safety, security and international oversight. With the FATF increasingly scrutinizing India’s actions and the global community concerned about the potential for nuclear proliferation, it is critical that India takes concrete steps toward greater responsibility. Only through transparent cooperation, both regionally and internationally, can India ease the growing fears surrounding its nuclear ambitions and ensure that its nuclear program does not pose a threat to global security.

There have been several cases in recent years that have raised doubts about the safety of India’s nuclear facilities. For example, there have been reports of improper handling of radioactive materials, which has led to accidents that have endangered both workers and citizens. In 2014, a major radioactive leak occurred at India’s Kaiga nuclear power plant, raising concerns about the country’s safety protocols. Although Indian officials downplayed the incident, it exposed a systemic problem within India’s nuclear security regime. In addition, workers and personnel at Indian nuclear power plants have reportedly been exposed to dangerous levels of radiation due to inadequate safety measures, raising questions about India’s ability to protect its own citizens from the dangers of its nuclear activities.

Compounding these safety issues is the lack of proper oversight and regulatory independence. The Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), charged with overseeing nuclear safety, is under the direct control of the Department of Atomic Energy, which operates India’s nuclear facilities. This conflict of interest prevents the AERB from functioning as an independent watchdog and hinders its ability to effectively enforce safety regulations. With such issues at the core of India’s nuclear framework, the international community has every reason to be concerned about the safety and security of India’s nuclear program.

In addition to nuclear security concerns, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has increasingly scrutinized India’s financial actions, especially in relation to terrorist financing and the risks of nuclear proliferation. Although the FATF has historically focused primarily on ensuring that countries adhere to financial standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the FATF has become increasingly concerned about the way in which certain states, including India , could unintentionally – or intentionally – facilitate the flow of money that this could cause. are used for nuclear proliferation activities.

Moreover, India’s growing nuclear cooperation with countries like Israel, which itself has not signed the NPT, raises alarms. While these partnerships are perceived as efforts to strengthen energy security or defense capabilities, they also blur the lines between civilian and military nuclear applications, making it more difficult for international regulators to ensure that nuclear technologies are not diverted to unapproved applications.

The FATF’s concerns also extend to India’s financial infrastructure, which may not be equipped to handle the complexities of tracking and regulating nuclear-related transactions. Given that India has received billions in defense-related deals and nuclear cooperation agreements, the possibility of funds being misused for illegal or dangerous purposes cannot be ruled out. These concerns are compounded by India’s complex and often opaque financial systems, which are not immune to corruption and money laundering, further raising the stakes in the global arena.

India’s nuclear program is not just an internal issue, but a matter of great regional importance. Pakistan, India’s nuclear-armed neighbor, has repeatedly raised concerns about its security and intentions behind India’s nuclear advances. Pakistan also faces international scrutiny over its nuclear program, but remains deeply concerned that any misstep by India could have catastrophic consequences for the region.

Moreover, India’s tense relations with China, another nuclear power, contribute to the precarious nature of the security environment in the region. Any potential escalation between India and its nuclear-armed neighbors increases the risk of miscalculations that could lead to a full-blown nuclear conflict. With both China and Pakistan keeping a close eye on India’s nuclear activities, the international community has a vested interest in ensuring that India’s nuclear activities are transparent and secure.

India’s nuclear program, while important, is fraught with concerns about safety, security and international oversight. With the FATF increasingly scrutinizing India’s actions and the global community concerned about the potential for nuclear proliferation, it is critical that India takes concrete steps toward greater responsibility. Only through transparent cooperation, both regionally and internationally, can India ease the growing fears surrounding its nuclear ambitions and ensure that its nuclear program does not pose a threat to global security.