The recent arrest of a three-member smuggling gang in Bihar, coupled with the confiscation of 50 grams of californium—a highly radioactive and dangerous substance—once again highlights the persistent failures of Indian authorities to control the illegal trade of critical materials. This incident, valued at an astounding Rs 850 crore, is far from an isolated case. It reflects a deeply ingrained pattern of negligence, corruption, and systemic inefficiencies within India’s regulatory and law enforcement systems. More alarming is that these incidents occur in the shadow of India’s rapidly expanding nuclear program, which includes the development of new reactor technologies, such as the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), capable of producing significant quantities of fissile material. The combination of repeated nuclear theft incidents and the aggressive growth of India’s nuclear capabilities, without sufficient safety mechanisms, presents a grave threat not just to regional stability but to global security.

India’s long history of nuclear theft incidents underscores the chronic vulnerabilities within its nuclear security architecture. Despite the high stakes, India has consistently failed to secure radioactive materials adequately. These failures are not merely lapses in domestic security but represent a broader threat with potentially catastrophic consequences. The repeated theft of nuclear materials within India points to a nation incapable of safeguarding the very elements that could be used to develop radiological weapons or fuel illicit nuclear programs. The continued occurrence of these thefts signals a government that is either unwilling or unable to take the necessary steps to protect these dangerous substances, thereby endangering not only its citizens but the global community.

The following table highlights some of the significant incidents involving the theft or smuggling of radioactive materials in India over the past few decades, illustrating the persistent challenges faced by Indian authorities in securing these dangerous substances.Note, this table does not contain all the incidents.

The table above clearly illustrates the frequency and severity of nuclear material theft incidents in India, painting a grim picture of the nation’s nuclear security capabilities. These repeated incidents are not random occurrences but rather a reflection of systemic flaws within India’s nuclear oversight and enforcement mechanisms. The fact that such substantial quantities of highly dangerous materials have been repeatedly stolen or smuggled demonstrates a significant lapse in the security protocols that should be protecting these critical assets. The implications of these failures are far-reaching, especially when considering the potential for these materials to be used in radiological weapons by non-state actors. Such a scenario would not only endanger public safety but could also spark international incidents, further isolating India on the global stage.

These security lapses become even more concerning when viewed in the context of India’s expanding nuclear program, particularly with the development of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam. This reactor is designed to produce more fissile material than it consumes, specifically reactor-grade plutonium, which, although not ideal, can still be used in nuclear weapons. The increasing availability of such fissile material only heightens the risks posed by India’s inadequate security infrastructure. With more fissile material in circulation, the likelihood of theft and smuggling increases, compounding the dangers already posed by India’s history of nuclear material security breaches.

The PFBR operates outside the purview of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, allowing India the flexibility to use the reactor-grade plutonium it produces for military purposes if necessary. This unsafeguarded status, combined with India’s track record of nuclear thefts, raises serious concerns about the potential for these materials to be diverted into the hands of non-state actors or used for nefarious purposes. The more fissile material India produces, the greater the risk of it being mishandled or stolen, leading to a situation where the dangers associated with nuclear proliferation become all too real. The global community must take note of this growing threat, as the consequences of inaction could be catastrophic.

Furthermore, the expansion of India’s nuclear arsenal, now estimated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) to include 172 warheads, suggests a deliberate effort by India to bolster its strategic capabilities. This expansion, coupled with the potential integration of reactor-grade plutonium into its arsenal, signals a disturbing shift in India’s nuclear posture. Such developments are likely to be perceived as highly provocative by neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, which has traditionally viewed India’s nuclear ambitions with deep suspicion because Indian actions and written doctrine doesn’t match. The possibility of India incorporating reactor-grade plutonium into its weapons program could spur Pakistan to accelerate its own nuclear activities, potentially triggering a new arms race in South Asia.

The international community cannot afford to ignore these developments. India’s nuclear program, which operates largely outside the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), poses a clear and present danger to global security. India gave an impression that it sought to engage with international norms through agreements like the 2008 India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement, the reality is that significant portions of its nuclear program remain unsupervised by the IAEA. This lack of transparency, combined with India’s history of nuclear material thefts and its expanding fissile material production, raises serious questions about its commitment to global non-proliferation norms. The continued production of fissile materials under inadequate security conditions not only threatens regional stability but also undermines global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

In conclusion, the recurring incidents of nuclear material theft in India, coupled with the rapid expansion of its nuclear capabilities, underscore the urgent need for stronger security measures and international oversight. The international community must recognize that India’s actions are not just a matter of domestic concern but have far-reaching implications for global peace and stability. Without significant improvements in its nuclear security infrastructure, the risks associated with India’s growing stockpile of fissile materials will continue to escalate. The time has come for a concerted global effort to address these risks before it is too late. The world cannot afford to allow India’s negligence to result in a nuclear catastrophe, which could have devastating consequences not just for South Asia but for the entire world.