At present India’s argument is that the international community should exercise restraint and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could look into the matter. It’s not known why India is suggesting the IAEA route for issues related to missiles and space. Perhaps somebody noted President Obama’s recent statements about the urgency to look at issues related to the CTBT and the FMCT? India understands that the entire debate — be it nuclear technology, missile technology, anti-ballistic missile technology or space technology — is intertwined. India suffers from regional compulsions in regard to most of these issues so whatever criticism a policy of ambivalence may provoke, it does help. Nothing’s forcing India to take a stand; so perhaps this time a wait-and-watch policy could be the best policy.

The writer researches non-traditional threats to national security at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, Delhi express@expressindia.com