A Karachi-bound Chinese ship has been stopped at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port by Indian security agencies. According to reports, the Chinese ship allegedly carried dual-use consignment that could be used in Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme.
Following specific intelligence inputs, customs officials intercepted the Malta-flagged ship CMA CGM Attila. A team of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inspected the consignment, which contained a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine manufactured by an Italian company.
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“Law enforcement agencies have carried out checks on a ship going to Karachi, Pakistan carrying equipment which can be used for nuclear and missile projects at a port near Mumbai. A Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) team has inspected the equipment present on the ship. Based on the initial inputs, it seems that the equipment can be for military use but a final report by the agency is expected soon,” news agency ANI said, citing security sources.
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The CNC machine
Since 1996, CNC machines have been included in the Wassenaar Arrangement — an international arms control regime aimed at stopping the proliferation of equipment with both civilian and military uses. India is among the 42 member countries that exchange information on transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technologies.
The CNC is basically a computer controlled machine used in producing a highly efficient and accurate results that are not possible manually. North Korea had reportedly used a CNC machine in its nuclear programme.
CNC machines are also included in the Wassenaar Arrangement among 42 countries of which India is member. The Wassenaar Arrangement is an international arms control regime aimed at stopping the proliferation of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technologies.
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