The Indian Nuclear programme is facing concerns over its safety including the potential for accidents, natural disasters, and security threats such as buying and selling of radioactive materials in the black market. The government has made efforts to incorporate lessons learned from global nuclear incidents, but public perception of safety varies, and there are ongoing debates about the adequacy of these measures. The year 2024 brought forward the illegal sale of nuclear substances as the leading threat.

There have been a few notable instances in the past where individuals or groups in India were implicated in the illegal sale or proliferation of nuclear technology and materials. In August 2024, a gang of individuals was found in illegal possession of a highly radioactive substance Californium in India, worth US$100 million. This is not an isolated incident. There has been a string of such incidents in India since the 1990s involving theft or illegal sale of radioactive substances. This latest incident is only the tip of the iceberg. Pakistan has time and again raised concerns over such incidents that raise questions over India’s nuclear safety and security. This exposes the myth of India’s ‘spotless’ non-proliferation record. The history of theft of nuclear materials in India goes back to the 1980s but seems to have picked up speed in the new millennium. The safety and security of its nuclear installations also have a poor record. In 1994 Meghalaya Police seized 2.5 kg of uranium from a gang of 4 smugglers in the Domiasiat region.

A 1996 report made available to IAEA highlighted 130 instances of safety-related concerns in nuclear facilities. Also in an Indian parliamentary report, 147 mishaps or security-related occurrences were reported in Indian atomic energy plants between the period 1995 to 1998. Furthermore in 1998 after India conducted a series of nuclear tests, K. Santhanam, a former nuclear scientist, claimed that certain aspects of India’s nuclear program might have been compromised. Although this did not directly involve selling technology, it highlighted concerns about insider threats and the potential for knowledge to be misused. Although not solely based in India, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s proliferation network involved several individuals from South Asia, including some linked to India. This network was accused of supplying nuclear technology and components to countries like Iran, Libya, and North Korea. While India itself was not the primary source, the incident raised concerns about the vulnerability of nuclear technology in the region.

There have been various smaller-scale cases involving individuals attempting to sell or illegally handle radioactive materials. These instances typically involve rogue elements and do not represent the government or official policy. For example, cases of people attempting to sell stolen radioactive sources have been reported, indicating risks associated with improper handling of materials. In the year 2016 India police seized almost 9kg of depleted uranium in the Thane area of Maharashtra. Two years later in 2018 the Kolkata police busted a uranium smuggling racket with 1kg of radioactive material. The smugglers were trying to sell uranium, valued at INR 30 million ($440,000). Indian police also arrested two men in Maharashtra again in 2021 for possessing 7.1 kg of natural uranium, worth $2.8 million. Similarly, 250kg of uranium variant – worth $573 million was confiscated in Kolkata and two persons from Indian strategic organizations arrested.

These incidents emphasize upon the vulnerabilities in the safety mechanisms of Indian nuclear programme. While the Indian government actively works to prevent such activities and maintain control over its nuclear materials, vigilance remains necessary to address potential threats from non-state actors. The illicit sale of nuclear materials by individuals can raise concerns about the overall safety and security of a country’s nuclear program, including India’s. Instances of individuals attempting to sell nuclear materials indicate that there may be weaknesses in security protocols and personnel vetting. If insiders can access and misappropriate sensitive materials, it suggests potential lapses in the system meant to safeguard these resources. The existence of black-market activities might highlight inadequacies in regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. If the system is not robust enough to prevent illegal transactions, it may raise questions about the effectiveness of oversight in the entire nuclear program. Even isolated incidents can erode public trust in the safety of nuclear programs. If people believe that nuclear materials can be accessed and sold illegally, it may lead to fears about the potential for accidents or misuse, impacting the legitimacy of the nuclear initiative. The unauthorized sale or mishandling of nuclear materials increases the risk of accidents, contamination, or the materials falling into the hands of terrorist groups. This potential threat poses a significant concern regarding national and regional security.

The incidents listed are only some of the reported ones, there may be dozens more that were never reported in the press, and yet more nuclear thefts that never came to light. There is a gap in legislation and Indian state control over nuclear and radioactive materials. This is a matter of concern for Pakistan and the international community, since the effects of nuclear theft go beyond national borders. Nuclear materials theft may lead to nuclear terrorism since radioactive materials can be used to create crude nuclear bombs or ‘dirty bombs.’ This is a danger to India’s neighbours and should be an issue of international concern. Essentially, India needs to enact strict control over nuclear materials and a robust regime to prevent such materials from ending up in the nuclear black market. The incidents of nuclear theft and security breaches need to be examined at the international level. In summary, while India has frameworks intended to ensure safety, the effectiveness of these measures is often scrutinized, and continuous improvement and transparency are crucial for maintaining public confidence.