The issue of non-proliferation has once again been brought to the fore with concerns over Tehran’s nuclear program. What has surprised many though is New Delhi’s vote against traditional ally Iran in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting. The IAEA—a nuclear watchdog body which monitors nuclear programs and activity of UN member States—had passed a resolution requiring Tehran to be reported to the UN Security Council over its nuclear plans. The Iran vote has also exposed the deep division within the Big Five Permanent UN Security Council Members with both China and Russia abstaining from putting strictures on Tehran’s nuclear program.
It would have been better if the issue had been dealt within the framework of the IAEA because reference to the UNSC would remain a futile exercise with both Beijing and Moscow certain to veto any proposed sanctions on Iran. Such a move will only push Tehran towards hardening its stand by not cooperating with the IAEA in terms of giving access to its nuclear sites. This will stall any move on the part of the international community to persuade Iran to implement the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that allows the UN to make spot checks of nuclear facilities.
While back home the decision of the UPA government has drawn wide spread criticism not only from the main opposition party the BJP but also from the Left, though it has to be said that some of the points of disparagement sound more like old clichés from the cold war era. It must be mentioned that while the basic framework of India’s foreign policy remain unchanged, multilateral issues are being increasingly addressed in the post-cold war era and ever since India went nuclear. Therefore to say that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has pushed the country into a ‘client State of the US’ as alleged by the BJP on a mere vote does not seem fair. After all it has to be remembered that after much pushing and shoving, both Washington and New Delhi were able to work out a broad strategic understanding on nuclear issues. The US has also come to terms with India’s nuclear program recognizing it as a de-facto Nuclear Weapon State (NWS). As such India has much responsibility to curb the unhindered proliferation as a responsible nuclear power.
Until very recently (before 9/11), non proliferation remained the number one foreign policy goal of the US and it is after a period of lull that Washington is giving a push to this agenda, whether it is on Iran or North Korea. While there is a genuine concern over nuclear materials getting into the wrong hands Washington would be well reminded that the use of sanctions may not be the best option either. There have been instances in the past when countries like Pakistan and North Korea had traded on their nuclear technology as a way to overcome US economic sanctions.
A way about is to engage countries like Iran rather then confronting them into non-cooperation on such a grave issue as nuclear proliferation. India would be in the best position to use its influence with Tehran and work within the framework of the IAEA which will address Iran’s need for civilian use of nuclear technology while at the same time putting in place monitoring mechanism under strict international supervision.
