February 27, 2001
India continues to produce and develop sophisticated nuclear weapons but relies heavily on foreign entities for key missile and dual use technologies, says a Central Intelligence Agency report.
The agency in its report submitted to the US Congress said that there is evidence that New Delhi obtained some foreign assistance for its civilian nuclear power programme during the first half of 2000 primarily from Russia. The US State department had recently criticised Russia for providing assistance to India's nuclear programme.
The report said the entities in Russia and Western Europe remained the primary conduits of missile related technology transfers to India since the domestic industry lacked engineering or production expertise in ballistic missile development.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has amended the Presidential decree on nuclear exports to allow exports in exceptional cases of nuclear materials, technology, equipment to countries that do not have full scope of International atomic energy agency safeguards. This move could clear the way for expanding nuclear exports to countries like India that do not have full scope safeguards, according to the report.
The report further says United States should remain concerned about the non-proliferation implication of such sales in several areas.
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