Good Guy, Bad Guy

Written by Kinza Mujeeb • June 2010

The South Asian subcontinent has been involved in the unfortunate competition for acquiring nuclear weapons. Though it was India that started the process, it is Pakistan that has been criticized the most for its nuclear designs. Naeem Salik has tried to present Pakistan's position in a constructive light as he has full knowledge of the various aspects of the issue based on his teaching and scholastic assignments at various institutions in the West and also because of his position as a member of that small group of officers which formulated Pakistan's nuclear policy and also worked to establish its Nuclear Command and Control structure.

Title: The Genesis of South Asian Nuclear Deterrence - Pakistan's Perspective

Author: Naeem Salik

Publisher: Oxford University Press, Pakistan (Oct. 8, 2009)

Pages: 324 pages, Hardcover

Price: PKR.495

ISBN-10: 0195477162

ISBN-13: 978-0195477160

Pakistan's advancement in nuclear technology has always been a target of criticism and sanctions imposed by the West which have created hurdles in its development. On the other hand, there was no display of any concern over the exploitation of the so-called "Peaceful" nuclear technology by the Indians. Pakistan's acquisition of nuclear weapon capability was perceived as a major threat by the Americans. India's nuclear explosion in 1974, led to the creation of technology control arrangements such as Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). These measures taken by the international community did not affect the progress of the Indian project as these had been set up after the Indians had acquired what they needed. But this tightening of the movement of materials required for developing a nuclear capability made Pakistan's task difficult.

The Indians very cleverly linked their nuclear experimentations to the Chinese efforts. Since the U.S. was very easily dragged on the side of those who opposed the Communists, India was able to gain the support of the Americans for its nuclear program. However, the truth was that India's nuclear program was against its enemy number one - Pakistan. The author has very elaborately described in the chapter on historical background as to why India considers Pakistan to be its foremost enemy. As such, the only logical step for Pakistan was to prepare for an equally effective deterrent for its own protection. So, for the U.S., India is a ‘good guy' as it has made the Americans believe that her nuclear program is against the Chinese. But Pakistan is a ‘bad guy', more so now that the Americans have become obsessed with the theory of ‘clash of civilizations.'

The book also provides a detailed account of India's nuclear program. It was started in 1944 and was led by distinguished scientists like Dr. Homi Bhabha. His Institute for Fundamental Research produced a crop of nuclear scientists which later conducted their country's nuclear program. The author has described in detail how India, while giving all the time the impression that its nuclear program was only for peaceful purpose, kept its nuclear weapon option open. Consequently, it benefited from generous technical assistance from both the superpowers. These powers, even after realizing India's real motives, continued to help her because of their hostility towards China. This attitude is supported today by the U.S.-India ‘civil nuclear program'.

The book provides an interesting account of the events that led to Pakistan making the final decision in May 1998 to conduct a nuclear test following India's tests a few days earlier. Discarding the view held by some that the decision was actually taken by the army, the author maintains that it was the decision of the political government. However, there was some difference of opinion in the cabinet as the finance minister was worried about the costs.

The so-called A.Q. Khan network, allegedly involved in the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology has also been discussed in considerable detail. The author subscribes to the official version that Khan acted in his personal capacity, without the consent or knowledge of the government. However, he has pointed out that Khan neither invented the market for such trade nor attained his commercial goals without the collaboration of highly active European traders already involved in the trade and anxious to join him. He has also mentioned the punishments given to Khan's associates by their respective governments. In most cases, punishment was nominal. One British collaborator, Peter Griffin, known to have been a long time supplier for the Khan network, was not indicted at all in any court. To the contrary, he filed a lawsuit against The Guardian for defamation and received 50,000 pounds in damages!

Naeem Salik has exhaustively discussed all aspects related to South Asian Nuclear Deterrence. His descriptions are detailed and his arguments convincing. The book provides a worthwhile insight into the issue. In doing so, he has tried to restore Pakistan's deteriorating reputation by probing into the many political and religious scams that were deliberately created to curtail its nuclear advancements. He has also given vent to the frustrations, which were piling up due to such inequities, by providing appropriate words to our thoughts and feelings.