India’s nuclear ambitions have long attracted regional and international interest. Since its first successful nuclear test in 1974, India has continued to develop its nuclear arsenal and infrastructure, positioning itself as an important player in the global nuclear landscape. However, recent concerns over the safety, security and oversight of India’s nuclear program are raising alarms not only among neighboring countries but also within the international community.

This includes concerns about nuclear materials falling into the wrong hands and potential misuse of India’s growing nuclear technology. Adding to these concerns is the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) increasing scrutiny of India’s activities, particularly regarding its financial governance and potential links to nuclear proliferation. As these concerns grow, it is crucial to question whether India’s nuclear program is truly as safe and secure as it claims to be.

India’s nuclear infrastructure is vast and encompasses both civil and military applications. Despite this, India has yet to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which many countries rely on to ensure global nuclear stability. Without such engagement, India’s nuclear activities remain opaque, lacking the level of transparency that global nuclear watchdogs say is essential to ensure security.

India’s nuclear program, while significant, raises many safety, security, and international oversight concerns. As the FATF increasingly scrutinizes India’s actions and the global community grows concerned about the potential for nuclear proliferation, it is crucial that India takes concrete steps toward greater accountability. Only through transparent cooperation, both regionally and internationally, can India alleviate growing fears surrounding its nuclear ambitions and ensure that its nuclear program does not pose a threat to global security.

Over the years, several cases have cast doubt on the security of Indian nuclear facilities. For example, there have been reports of improper handling of radioactive materials, leading to accidents endangering workers and civilians. In 2014, a major radioactive leak occurred at India’s Kaiga nuclear power plant, causing concern over the country’s safety protocols. Although Indian authorities downplayed the incident, it highlighted a systemic problem within India’s nuclear security regime. Additionally, workers and staff at Indian nuclear power plants have reportedly been exposed to dangerous levels of radiation due to inadequate safety measures, raising questions about India’s ability to protect its own citizens from the dangers of its nuclear activities .

These safety concerns are further compounded by the lack of appropriate oversight and regulatory independence. The Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), responsible for overseeing nuclear safety, is under the direct control of the Ministry of Atomic Energy, which manages India’s nuclear facilities. This conflict of interest prevents the AERB from functioning as an independent oversight body and inhibits its ability to effectively enforce safety regulations. As these issues are at the heart of India’s nuclear framework, the international community has every reason to be concerned about the safety and security of India’s nuclear program.

In addition to concerns over nuclear security, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is increasingly scrutinizing India’s financial actions, particularly with regard to terrorism financing and nuclear proliferation risks. Although the FATF’s primary goal has always been to ensure that countries meet financial standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, it is more concerned about how some states, including India, could inadvertently – or deliberately – facilitate the flow of funds that could be used for nuclear proliferation activities.

Additionally, there are concerns about India’s growing nuclear cooperation with countries like Israel, which is not itself a signatory to the NPT. While these partnerships are presented as efforts to strengthen energy security or defense capabilities, they also blur the lines between civil and military nuclear applications, making it more difficult for international regulators to ensure that nuclear technologies are not harmed. not diverted to unauthorized uses.

The FATF’s concerns also extend to India’s financial infrastructure, which may not be equipped to handle the complexities of monitoring and regulating nuclear-related transactions. Given that India has received billions under defense-related deals and nuclear cooperation agreements, the possibility of the funds being diverted for illegal or dangerous purposes cannot be ruled out. These concerns are exacerbated by India’s complex and often opaque financial systems, which are not immune to corruption and money laundering, further raising the stakes on the global stage.

India’s nuclear program is not just an internal issue, but a matter of significant regional concern. Pakistan, India’s nuclear-armed neighbor, has repeatedly expressed concerns over the security and intentions behind India’s nuclear advances. Pakistan also faces international scrutiny over its nuclear program, but remains deeply concerned that any misstep by India could have catastrophic consequences for the region.

Additionally, strained relations between India and China, another nuclear power, add to the precarious nature of the region’s security environment. Any potential escalation between India and its nuclear-armed neighbors increases the risk of miscalculations that could escalate into a full-blown nuclear conflict. While China and Pakistan closely monitor India’s nuclear initiatives, the international community has a vested interest in ensuring that India’s nuclear activities are transparent, safe and secure.

India’s nuclear program, while significant, raises many safety, security, and international oversight concerns. As the FATF increasingly scrutinizes India’s actions and the global community grows concerned about the potential for nuclear proliferation, it is crucial that India takes concrete steps toward greater accountability. Only through transparent cooperation, both regionally and internationally, can India alleviate growing fears surrounding its nuclear ambitions and ensure that its nuclear program does not pose a threat to global security.