What is Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT)?

In December 1993, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for negotiation of a treaty banning the unsafeguarded production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. The Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) might extend verification measures to fissile materials production facilities, such as uranium enrichment plants and spent fuel reprocessing facilities for the production of plutonium. These facilities are not currently subject to international monitoring. The fissile materials are also used for non-weapon purposes such as a component of the fuel used in nuclear power plants

The resolution called for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide assistance in examining verification arrangements to ensure that conditions of the treaties are implemented. It is assumed that such a treaty will be conducive to the prevention of nuclear proliferation and promotion of nuclear disarmament.

Though US Congress is yet to ratify the treaty, Obama administration in USA is keen to mount a diplomatic offensive to push India and other countries to sign the CTBT and FMCT. India has refused to accept obligations of the treaties that hinder India’s “strategic programme”. India seems to be of the view that “Nuclear weapons are an integral part of the national security and will remain so pending the global elimination of all nuclear weapons on a universal, non-discriminatory basis”.

In view of the hostile neighbors, the country should ensure the country’s security before yielding to any pressures from US and other countries. India should realize that the Indo-US deal will only help US with billions of dollars worth Indian nuclear business. There is nothing much for India to gain from the deal.

1998 test of a thermonuclear device by India at Pokhran had been a failure?

It is unfortunate that a DRDO scientist and a few BARC scientists have questioned the stated success of the thermonuclear device tested in 1998, that too after 10 years, and without much scientific evidence. Why wake up so late? As per Dr. Chidambaram, the device was “a two-stage device of advanced design, which had a fusion-boosted fission trigger as the first stage and a fusion secondary stage which was compressed by radiation implosion and ignited.”

One wonders what is exactly behind this controversy. Some people with the knowledge suspect that there is much more to it than the pure science. There are three possibilities: One can be to force India government to call off the self-committed moratorium on tests and not to sign CTBT; the second reason can be the possible competition for supremacy between BARC and DRDO, and the third may be some one is vying for the top post of DAE in the near future.

In this situation, the common man is taken for a ride, and the national secrets are being openly discussed. I am firmly of the opinion that the full disclosure should be avoided. The issue of credibility of India’s nuclear deterrent should be decided by the Prime Minister himself after due deliberations and hard talk to these scientists. National security should not be jeopardized at any cost.

Radiation around us

Radiation is a fact of life. People on this earth are being continuously bombarded by radiations from different sources, i.e., cosmic radiation from space, radiation emitted from the natural radioactive elements present in soil/rocks, like uranium and thorium and internal exposure from inhalation of natural radioactive gases, like radon preset in the air which we breathe, and traces of radioactive elements present in food and water we consume. Totally, these contribute about 79 % of the annual average global human exposure to radiation. Out of remaining 21%, 20% is contributed from medical exposures from X-rays and scans and only 1% from all other man-made sources, including nuclear power ((World Health Organization, WHO).

In India, major part (over 98%) of the average annual human exposure is from natural sources, about 1.93% from medical exposures and only about 0.37% from man-made sources. The large difference in medical exposures in WHO and Indian values, is due to enhanced medical care provided in developed countries as compared to India.

This information should be made available to the public so that risk from man-made sources are seen in proper perspective, and members of the public readily accept the numerous benefits from the application of radiation and radioisotopes.

Moratorium on nuclear tests

In this blog on Nuclear Issues, it was repeatedly posted that any funds provided by the west to Pakistan will only be used to produce more and more weapons, including nuclear to fight against India. Fight to contain terrorist groups inside Pakistan is only a pretext under which the Pakistan government is demanding funds from US and other sympathisers from Arab world.

The Indian Army Chief says “Pakistan’s efforts of increasing its nuclear strength were a matter of concern and Islamabad was going well beyond the degree of deterrence”. India should be more concerned than ever since there is a huge controversy over the claims of success of the 1998 Pokhran thermonuclear explosion, as claimed by the India government. The Indian nuclear fraternity is also divided over the issue raised by one of the ex-DRDO scientists. The Indian Atomic Energy Commission Chief however said that no more nuke tests are required to confirm the disputed Pokhran test results.

The issue is raised at a time when the US is pressuring India to sign CTBT and other pacts which will hinder progress in India’s nuclear weapon programs. Under the circumstances, the India government can very well refuse to sign any pacts which will put permanent moratorium on nuclear tests if required at a latter date. No deal is above the national security.