Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities

Source: Hindustan Times
GS II: International Relation

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. What is the agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities?

Why in the News?

India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities through diplomatic channels recently under the agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations and facilities.

• This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries

News in Brief

• India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged a list of their nuclear installations through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• The exchange of the list took place under a bilateral pact that prohibited the two sides from attacking each other’s atomic facilities.
• This comes amid the weakening ties between the two countries over the Kashmir issue as well as cross-border terrorism.
• Notably, India has been maintaining its diplomatic offensive against Pakistan on the issue of terrorism and has remained firm on its position of not having any talks with Islamabad until it stops cross-border terrorism.

What is the agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities?

Was signed on December 31, 1998, by the then Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi.

• The treaty came into force on January 27, 1991.
• It has two copies each in Urdu and Hindi.
• Background
  • The Indian army conducted a large-scale drill known as “Brasstacks” in 1986.
  • This increased concerns about a nuclear facility assault.
  • Since then, negotiations have been ongoing between the two nations to come to a consensus on nuclear weapons management.
• The first of this list exchange took place on January 1, 1992.

What does the agreement say?

• To create a climate of security that fosters confidence, the agreement requires both nations to notify one another on January 1st of each year of any nuclear sites and facilities that fall within its purview.
• The agreement states that any installation containing fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel and materials in any form, as well as establishments storing sizable amounts of radioactive materials, are considered “nuclear installations or facilities.”
• This includes nuclear power and research reactors, fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment, isotope separation, and reprocessing facilities.

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