India and Pakistan on 1st January exchanged a list of nuclear installations under a bilateral pact that prevents both sides from attacking each other’s atomic arrangements, continuing an annual ritual that starts in 1992. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the exchange deal took place under the section of attack against nuclear installations and facilities.
Behind the curtain:
The notable deal was accomplished under the patronage of diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad. Unlikely the strain ties between India and Pakistan creates a roadblock to amount fruitful result in functioning any deal successfully. Due to Kashmir issue as well as cross border terrorism and cease fire violation provokes both the country to act against each other’s will.
Statement by Ministry of External affairs:
Diplomatic channels of both New Delhi and Islamabad are simultaneously working to formulate the list of nuclear installations and facilities covering a wide range of knowhows and guidelines such as prohibition of attack on nuclear installations of both India and Pakistan. Currently in this generation nuclear safety poses to be a major issue of concern for every ‘nuclear haves’ countries. Hence; a nuclear pact for securing safe applications of nuclear energy is utmost requirement and both diplomatic channels are successful in bringing out the pact.
This is one of 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the both nations, the first one was taken place on 1st January, 1992.
What’s inside?
As per the nuclear pact, both India and Pakistan are mandated to inform each other regarding nuclear installations and arrangements to be covered under the pact on the first of January of every calendar year.
The deal mandates both country to refrain from attacking each other’s atomic base so that the possible massive casualties could be suppressed and threats of unprecedent violation could be arrested.
Amidst the sour relation:
The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988 and enforced on January 27, 1991. Since 1988 there are numbers of unfavourable incidents including 26/11 terrorism attack, Pathankot and Pulwama incident have indicated an irreparable damage to India for building trust with Pakistan.
Besides, continuous cease fire violation by Pakistan in LoC region signalled a hype of tension between both states. A fear of uncertainty prevails in strengthening foreign affairs of India and Pakistan. India has been vociferously opposed terrorism in several international platforms and many Western and Asian countries are seen supporting India’s opinion on terrorism.
Pakistan was marked as Black Listed country by FATF (Financial Action Task Force) owing to money laundering and financing terrorism for vested motives. Yet the unbridled terrorist induced activities such as suicide bomb blast and islamophobia propaganda have caused a severe loss to the nation. Moreover, this regressive attitude has been damaging foreign affairs of India and Pakistan immensely.
Image source: The Indian Express
Significance of the deal:
In 1986, the Indian Army carried out a mammoth exercise ‘Brasstacks’ raising a fear of attack on nuclear locations. Since then both countries came forward to control and safe use of nuclear installation.
The pact provides a confidence building security management for maintaining a controllable nuclear energy application. The various facilities include; nuclear power, fuel fabrications, research reactors, uranium enrichment, iso-topes separation and reprocessing facilities etc.
The exchange shows a potential key to unlock the rugged relations between India and Pakistan, through mutual trust and cooperation both country must look for boosting their relations to tap underserved areas.
