NEW DELHI: Highlighting continuing ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation between China and Pakistan, India announced on Thursday it has seized an industrial autoclave from a Chinese vessel which berthed at Kandla in early February. The autoclave is used for missile and rocket development and was headed to Karachi in Pakistan.

The MEA spokesperson said Indian authorities had detained a Chinese vessel “Da Cui Yan” on an intelligence tip-off. On investigation it was found to contain a dual-use item which has definite military applications. The ship was headed to Karachi, Pakistan. The vessel had declared the item to be an industrial dryer.

The MEA spokesperson said, “Our examination has revealed that the item is an ‘autoclave’ that is controlled under our Dual Use Export Control lists. Therefore the item has been seized by our authorities as per our legal procedure.” The autoclave was found by India’s defence authorities to be used for missile and WMD development.

India has let China know that it has seized the dual-use item. “We have conveyed our concerns on this issue to the Chinese side and have highlighted that as a friendly country the Chinese government will take appropriate measures to ensure that the Chinese entities do not engage in activities that can contribute to proliferation.” MEA spokesperson said. India also has the option of filing a case under the WMD Act.

Ironically, China has prevented India from joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) citing proliferation concerns among other things. India maintains its non-proliferation record is above reproach.

