News Desk
NEW DEHLI: A series of uranium thefts and security lapses in India have deepened worries about nuclear safety protocols in the region. Despite being a declared nuclear power, India has repeatedly shown significant weaknesses in safeguarding its nuclear materials and facilities, sparking alarm not only within the country but across the global community.
Reports from security experts and international agencies reveal glaring flaws in India’s nuclear material handling, production, and oversight. According to the South Asia Strategic Stability Institute, between 1994 and 2021, India reported 18 incidents involving stolen nuclear material, exceeding 200 kilograms in total. Many cases involved the seizure of highly dangerous substances such as uranium and californium from individuals caught smuggling.
The Nuclear Threat Initiative’s (NTI) 2024 report places India near the bottom of the list when it comes to nuclear security — ranking 20th out of 22 countries overall, and 40th out of 47 in the global nuclear security index. The NTI has repeatedly warned of potential nuclear accidents in India, but government inaction has turned these warnings into reality.
Notable incidents include a failed attempt to smuggle 2.5 kilograms of uranium in Dumiyat in November 1994, and an attempt to smuggle over 100 kilograms in 1998. Other seizures include eight kilograms from Tamil Nadu in 1998, 8.3 kilograms from Mumbai in 2000, and smaller amounts from West Bengal between 2001 and 2018. In 2021, seven kilograms of uranium were seized in Maharashtra and 6.4 kilograms in Jharkhand, alongside 250 grams of highly radioactive californium recovered at Kolkata airport.
