More Indian scientists could face US sanctions

[mysterious]

More Indian scientists could face US sanctions

ISLAMABAD: While India struggles hard to get a reprieve for its two scientists, YSR Prasad and C Surender, the former heads of the state-run Nuclear Corporation of India alleged to have links with Iran’s nuclear programme, the US media has reported that more Indian scientists could face sanctions.

According to Reuters, the US administration is considering imposing sanctions on one to three more Indian “entities†for aiding what Washington insists is a nuclear weapons programme. The Indian scientists are believed to have passed on to Iran the technology of producing tritium, a radioactive isotope used in developing an atomic bomb.

US authorities insist that Mr Prasad and Mr Surender have helped Iran achieve its nuclear ambitions. Washington Times says the Bush administration will not only maintain the sanctions on the two Indian scientists, but has further approved additional curbs that could be imposed on New Delhi “in near future†in response to “other Indian transfers of weapons-related goods to Iranâ€.

Reuters quoted a senior US official as saying that the Bush administration might reconsider sanctions against the two Indian scientists if Delhi proffered “significant and convincing proof†that they were not involved in Iran’s nuclear programme.

The US official, who asked not to be named, cautioned against predicting that the sanctions, which bar the men from doing business with Washington, would be lifted or waived. He told Reuters: “The Indians are being given a chance now to clarify, rebut, and give us any information and we promise we’ll consider it.â€

The issue was to be raised during US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca’s visit to New Delhi this week, but the Indians did not discuss it with Ms Rocca. APP

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_24-10-2004_pg7_45

Looks like Dr. A. Q. Khan wasn't the only one having all the fun with the so-called 'undergroud network'!! Our Indian friends aren't that far behind.

 

[india2020]

America's only worry is iran and america knows how good the realtions between india and iran are.And moreover no one suspets any hand of the Indian government in here.No technology exchange or sale has taken place.It was only the know how and the expertise exchange that took place here.These scientists no doubt deserve punishment for their selfishness.But this situation is a lot different than what happened in pakistan,where there were a lot more sorry circumstances.

 

[mysterious]

LOL. Just read what you wrote! "No technology exchange or sale has taken place.It was only the know how and the expertise exchange that took place here." How do you justify that? If A. Q. Khan sold equipment to Iran and the Indians provided the 'know how' and the 'expertise'; I dont see how either of them differ from each other for doing what they did. Plus, A. Q. Khan (can be argued) provided stuff for Uranium enrichment which is not that much of a advanced tech given the sophistication of illegal networks channelling equipment out of Europe and else where; where as the Indian scientists are accused of helping Iran with 'tritium' tech, which is (to any sensible person) a more sophisticated side of nuke tech as compared to Uranium enrichment. I'm not trying to justify what Dr. Khan did (as it was absolutely wrong) but I just wanted to point out that instead of shifting all the blame on him, others ought to have enough guts to take responsibility for their actions (like Dr. Khan did with his confession on state television) as for me, they are as guilty as Khan. :cop

 

[P.A.F]

http://www.dawn.com/2004/10/25/int1.htm

New Delhi unaware of US plans on N-curbs

NEW DELHI, Oct 24: India said it was unaware of any US plans to slap sanctions on additional Indian persons, companies or institutions which Washington says are aiding Iran's nuclear programme.

The Bush administration has already imposed curbs on two Indian scientists - former heads of India's Nuclear Power Corporation - late last month for alleged nuclear cooperation with Iran, which Washington says is developing nuclear weapons.

Tehran denies the charge and says its atomic programme is for peaceful purposes.

Official US sources said last week that further curbs on one to three Indian entities were being considered.

"We are...not aware of plans to sanction three entities as mentioned in these press reports," the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Saturday.

Any plans for further sanctions, if any, should be discussed at the India-United States forum for high-technology trade, termed as the "Next Steps in Strategic Partnership", the statement added.

New Delhi has already asked Washington to lift curbs on its scientists saying they were based on "faulty evidence". The Bush administration said last week it may reconsider the curbs provided India offered "convincing" proof they were not involved.

The sanctions bar the scientists from doing business with Washington.

The spat over sanctions and US concerns about India's nuclear capabilities have marred the increasingly warm ties between New Delhi and Washington.

India-US relations were boosted when New Delhi was quick to offer support to the war on terror after the September 11 attacks.

India's booming technology sector and huge market has led to deeper economic ties.

Last month, the US lifted decades-old curbs on the export of equipment to India's commercial space programme and nuclear power facilities.

But the United States remains suspicious of New Delhi's close ties with Tehran, which India sees as an important ally in the Middle East.

On Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Singh, speaking to nuclear scientists at a function in the south of the country, said India would never be the source of nuclear proliferation.-Reuters

 

[Sq No.15]

Well These Scientist went to Iran only once and also the under UN mission, and US taking these vist to slap sactions , India asked US to provide Proof which US didn't provide becsaue US can't find anything else other then on;y vist under UN .

India never deal nuclear tech , this is US policy only to satisfy Pak camp which evaluates India , Pak .

India provide BEL radars to Iran , which US argured that will be used in Iran Nuclear Instalations which India bluff off and went ahead with deal.

India told US Secretly that If US can snap ties on India, India can also block US Militry Company in bidding Indian billion dolloe contrcts which US Arms company dreams of .

it is after polls things will be sorted out

 

[gf0012-aust]

India told US Secretly that If US can snap ties on India, India can also block US Militry Company in bidding Indian billion dolloe contrcts which US Arms company dreams of .

Which US company?

 

[Sq No.15]

India told US Secretly that If US can snap ties on India, India can also block US Militry Company in bidding Indian billion dolloe contrcts which US Arms company dreams of .

Which US company?

Lets take example , stop bidding Boing , in pretext for helping Pak Militry , could stop Indian's 40 Billion Civilian Air market .

India could stop sales , of ABM and F16 deal which US company eye for .

India could also stop the company eyeing for 50 transport C-130 or C30 J .

India also stop US companies from enter in to Navy 50 or so maritime petrol contract .

US company eyeing to have some pie of Indian billion dollar defence program which is till now not accessable. Well their is now ray of light for US defence Industries in Maritime petrol and transport planes . US companyes pitching hard at all levels to get into Indian market . Thats why they are offering Indian things which are only avaliable to its allines also , like UK , Isreal , Aus etc. Snaping ties which mean closesure of billinos dollor deals.

This is the main reason US didn;t say anything about Radar deal.

 

[mysterious]

I've been skeptical about how India is going to try to introduce American tech and platforms in what is solely a Russian dominated area (the Indian Armed Forces). American bidders already have an impossible task of creating a market for their equipment in India because India going for US platforms would mean a good overhaul of everything India has from Russia. It would just not be feasible to operate all those Russian things along with new US toys. So I dont think the Indian threat (if ever made) would have any major consequences.

 

[highsea]

I don't see how "sanctions" on a couple of retired scientists will have any actual consequences for anyone. It's more of a political message to India about helping Iran's nuclear programs. The US has Iran's nuclear program under a microscope right now, and is basically telling India to tread very lightly.

India has to walk a tightrope, but that is something they have been able to do in the past, quite remarkably, imo. India has to balance their relationship with Israel, Iran, the US, and Pakistan all at once.

They have the desire for western technologies like Phalcons and ABM systems, but they still want Iranian oil. I think India realizes that any actual help to Iran's nuclear program will jeopardize their relationships with Isreal and the US, so I doubt they will do anything overt.

I think there is also a risk of increasing tensions between India and Pakistan if India is too helpful to Iran. I can't see Pakistan being too comfortable with a nuclear Iran with close ties to India, but maybe I'm wrong about this.

 

[mysterious]

You're right, Pakistan certainly neither needs nor wants a nuclear capable Iran.

 

[ashoaib]

US has ‘no info’ of Khan-Iran uranium links

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has said it has no information about the alleged links between Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Iran’s nuclear programme, but added that Pakistan has done a lot to break the scientist’s network.

“I don’t have any information to share with you about the connection between AQ Khan and Iran,†the State Department deputy spokesman said when asked to confirm a claim by an Iranian opposition group that Dr Khan supplied enriched uranium to Tehran. “I would tell you that, obviously, Pakistan has acted, I think, decisively to break up and dismantle the AQ Khan network or working to find out where its tentacles reach; and that, obviously, this AQ Khan network has had connections with other countries and it’s certainly a subject of interest, but I don’t have anything specific to share with you on itâ€, the spokesman said. online

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_21-11-2004_pg7_3

 

[ashoaib]

This report shows that Pakistan is not willing to sell Nukes to anyone.

 

[highsea]

Stick to the topic please, US Sanctions on Indian Scientists :cop

 

[Sq No.15]

US has ‘no info’ of Khan-Iran uranium links

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has said it has no information about the alleged links between Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Iran’s nuclear programme, but added that Pakistan has done a lot to break the scientist’s network.

“I don’t have any information to share with you about the connection between AQ Khan and Iran,†the State Department deputy spokesman said when asked to confirm a claim by an Iranian opposition group that Dr Khan supplied enriched uranium to Tehran. “I would tell you that, obviously, Pakistan has acted, I think, decisively to break up and dismantle the AQ Khan network or working to find out where its tentacles reach; and that, obviously, this AQ Khan network has had connections with other countries and it’s certainly a subject of interest, but I don’t have anything specific to share with you on itâ€, the spokesman said. online

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_21-11-2004_pg7_3

Can i reply to this ,as this topic was closed ??

 

[highsea]

No. A.Q. Khan network is discussed in this thread:

http://defencetalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=734&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

This thread is for discussion of US sanctions on Indian Scientists and possible Indo/Iran nuclear cooperation.