Pakistan has formally expressed its unease regarding the recent long-term uranium supply agreement signed between Canada and India, highlighting the broader implications of such bilateral deals on regional stability and global nuclear governance. The development, which also includes potential collaboration on small modular reactors and advanced nuclear technologies, has sparked debate over the fairness and transparency of civil nuclear cooperation frameworks.
In a statement addressing media inquiries, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi emphasized Pakistan’s stance that civil nuclear cooperation must adhere to a non-discriminatory and criteria-based approach. This principle, he noted, should be uniformly applied to all countries, especially those that have not ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Andrabi warned that making selective exceptions for certain nations undermines the credibility of the global non-proliferation regime and risks destabilizing both regional and international peace and security.
He further elaborated that the uranium supply agreement between Canada and India represents yet another instance of country-specific exemptions in the realm of civil nuclear cooperation. This is particularly sensitive given India’s nuclear history, including its 1974 nuclear test which utilized plutonium produced in a Canadian-supplied reactor originally intended for peaceful purposes. This event was a catalyst for the establishment of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), aimed at regulating nuclear exports and preventing proliferation.
Highlighting ongoing concerns, Andrabi pointed out that India has not subjected all of its civilian nuclear facilities to the safeguards and inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Several of these facilities remain outside the scope of international monitoring, raising questions about transparency and compliance. The spokesperson cautioned that assured external uranium supplies might enable India to divert its domestic uranium reserves toward military applications, potentially increasing its stockpile of fissile material and expanding its nuclear arsenal. Such developments could significantly alter the strategic balance in South Asia, a region already fraught with tensions.
Meanwhile, the uranium supply agreement was part of a broader set of accords signed during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to New Delhi. These agreements also cover cooperation in critical minerals, renewable energy, and technology sectors, signaling a renewed phase of bilateral engagement. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the evolving relationship as infused with “new energy, mutual trust and positivity,” reflecting hopes for strengthened ties.
It is worth noting that relations between Canada and India had experienced a downturn in 2023 following accusations by Ottawa that New Delhi was involved in attacks against Sikh activists on Canadian soil—claims that India has consistently denied. Prime Minister Carney characterized his visit as a significant step toward mending and enhancing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Pakistan’s concerns underscore the complexities surrounding nuclear cooperation agreements, especially when they involve countries outside the NPT framework. The situation calls for a more balanced and transparent approach to civil nuclear partnerships to ensure they do not inadvertently contribute to regional arms races or undermine international non-proliferation efforts.
