5 reasons Modi should not be talking big at Nuclear Security Summit

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi arriving in Washington earlier today, all eyes are on his handling of the fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit, first proposed by US president Barack Obama in his famous 2009 Prague Speech.

There are far too many thorny issues that PM Modi needs to address at the home front before pledging big at the NSS. Modi, who is one of the 53 attendees from countries across the world, with significant exceptions of Iran and North Korea, as well as Russia after Vladimir Putin's standoff with Obama over the thorny issues of Ukraine and Syria, will therefore be walking a tightrope as far as India's prickly stance on nuclear security versus nuclear cooperation is concerned. 

The Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) looks at the key security concerns voiced by the international nuclear community, particularly the civil nuclear initiatives, and the threats of sabotage from global terrorist outfits, substandard nuclear generation/radioactive material, and looming prospect of the "dirty bomb". However, nuclear facilities for defence purposes are not in its ambit, even though informal discussions and "house gifts" - non-binding unilateral commitments from individual countries have been held at the NSS.

This evening will see a leaders-only dinner hosted by US president Barack Obama at the White House, while plenary sessions on various issues pertainting to nuclear security will be held tomorrow.

Here are five key concerns bogging India down that PM Narendra Modi must address at the nuclear high table.

1. Combating nuclear terrorism

Rise of the ISIS, in addition to older terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda, has necessitated a coordinated approach to contain the near and present danger of nuclear terrorism. India is a prime and soft target, with a number of nuclear facilities that are operational and generating the much-needed power for an energy-starved nation of over a billion.

Given the brazen manner in which ISIS jihadists have infiltrated even an IAF airbase in Pathankot earlier this year, it is obvious that civil nuclear plants are right in their line of sight. The unbelievably shabby security apparatus does not bode well for India that claims to be a nuclear superpower.

2. Illegal trafficking of radioactive material

Concerns about fissile material falling into wrong hands do not only include terrorism but also international smuggling in nuclear and radioactive substances. India has seen increasing insider corruption in the nuclear sector, and in this regard, PM Modi is likely to move with a chip in his shoulders as he prepares for the NSS' meet. At the NSS'Centers of Excellence, brainstorming over global measures to expand cooperation for better nuclear security will be something Modi would be struggling with.

3. Terrible security checks at plants

Since there have been several instances of manual security lapses in India, complete mechanisation and full automation of the high security protocol at the thermonuclear is the need of the hour. Yet, this seems to be a far cry!

Studies have found loopholes in security arrangements at a number of plants and research centres, including the super-sensitive Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). India needs technology transfer to mend this enormous crack in its nuclear apparatus. How will PM Modi tackle these obvious attacks over India's serious and serial security failures?

4. Covert weapons development 

Covert weaponisation and nuclear arms race have led to surreptitious denial of possible threats to the subterranean nuclear development within India from hostile entities, including terrorist outfits or subcontinental rivals such as Pakistan and China. In this age of 24X7 satellite feeds and surveillance, a culture of relative transparency amongst the nuclear superpowers will benefit everyone, but government of India seems to be in no hurry to adopt such a frank approach.

In this context, PM Modi is expected to join a "gift basket" with deeper commitments to nuclear solidarity and stricter regulations observable at both ends. But how serious is he about adhering to them?

5. Environment and health assessment

It is time for an honest discussion nuclear enrichment has had over our sensitive ecosystems, biodiversity, soil condition as well as human health. Ironically, on the fifth anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Gujarat's kakrapar Atomic Power Station saw leakage in its unit one. Though it was contained in a matter of ten days, more rigorous and frequent inspections should be mandated to avoid a full-scale nuclear disaster. Given Modi regime's absolute dismissal of environmental concerns, Modi may cut a sorry figure among leaders many of whom represent countries gradually folding back their nuclear operations over such concerns.