The intelligence report has reportedly accused as many as 73 Indian organisations of helping New Delhi’s clandestine nuclear arms programme
LONDON: Bracketing India with ‘nuclear rogue nations’ like Iran, a British intelligence report has accused as many as 73 Indian organisations of helping New Delhi’s clandestine nuclear arms programme.
Quoting what it described as a secret British MI5 document, The Guardian on Saturday revealed that 360 private companies, university departments and government organisations in India, Iran, Pakistan, Israel, Syria and Egypt were assisting in the development of nuclear arsenals and weapons of mass destruction.
Taken aback by the accusations, the Indian High Commission (IHC) here has forwarded the report to the Foreign Ministry in New Delhi. Indian officials are extremely exercised over the existence of such a document. "We are obviously concerned that such a document exists but we cannot take it up with the British government without going through it first," an IHC official told DNA.
The 17-page MI5 document, entitled Companies and Organisations of Proliferation Concern, says though their list is lengthy, it is not exhaustive. It has also warned British organisations to be wary of front companies in the UAE, which they classify as a hub for the nuclear weapons trade. India is upset at being bracketed with such ‘rouge’ nations.
"We are a responsible nuclear power which has never been involved with illegal arms trade. We need to see the companies they have identified, they may be procuring innocent technology or know how, or just doing research, this is all legitimate," said an IHC official.
In the recent past, some Indian companies have been facing problems dealing with British authorities because of concerns over nuclear arms procurement.
The document warns that it is not suggesting that "the companies and organisations on the list have committed an offense under UK legislation. However, in addition to conducting non-proliferation related business, they have procured goods and/or technology for weapons of mass destruction programmes."
Interestingly, MI5 has named the Pakistan High Commission in London, along with 95 other bodies, as having assisted in Pak’s nuclear programme.
The Pakistan High Commission is the only diplomatic institution on the list. Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner, Abdul Basit, has reacted strongly, saying, "It is absolute rubbish for Pakistan to be included. We take exception to these links."
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