Challenges to Fissile Material Cut off Treaty: Issues and Concerns for South Asia

India and Pakistan are two powers in South Asia and notable Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) that continue to produce fissile material for nuclear weapons purposes. Both are facing dilemma regarding the future FMCT negotiations in the CD. Pakistan wants to include existing stocks, while India has the upper limit for the future production. Unlike Pakistan, India has the advantage of getting fuel for its nuclear reactors from the P-5 dominated nuclear suppliers group and using its domestic resources for making weapons at a fast pace. On the other hand, Pakistan is in the layers of onion export control sanctions. Therefore, it shouts against the new nuclear apartheid foul. This paper will be a significant endeavour in promoting global non- proliferation and disarmament in the perspective of South Asia through fissile material control and its implications in the region. The study will also be beneficial to the students and instructors of nuclear and South Asian security studies.

The author is currently studying M. Phil in American Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. She did B.S.c (Hon's) Defence & Diplomatic Studies in 2012.Authors' priority areas include Strategic & Nuclear Studies, Defence & Diplomacy particularly in the regions of United States of America & South Asia and Middle East.