WASHINGTON, Feb 1: A new report by the United States Central Intelligence Agency cites both Pakistan and India among states that continue to acquire nuclear technology and says New Delhi remains engaged in a nuclear weapons development programmes.

The main portion of the report, which deals with the period Jan 1 to June 30, 2001, and has just been submitted to Congress, deals with Iran, Iraq and North Korea, the three countries grouped by President George Bush in his State of the Union address this week in an “axis of evil.” There is no mention in the report of Israel’s nuclear programme or capability.

The report says proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is changing in ways that are increasingly difficult to monitor, thereby “increasing the risk” of their possible future surprise use.

On Pakistan, the report asserts that Chinese entities continued to provide significant assistance to the country’s ballistic missile programme during the period under review. “With Chinese assistance, Pakistan is moving toward serial production of solid-propellant SRBMs, such as the Shaheen-I and Haider-I. Pakistan flight-tested the Shaheen-I in 1999 and plans to flight-test the Haider-I in 2001. Successful development of the two-stage Shaheen-II MRBM will require continued Chinese assistance or assistance from other potential sources.”

The report also says Pakistan continued to acquire nuclear-related and dual-use equipment and materials from various sources — principally in Western Europe. “Islamabad has a well-developed nuclear weapons program, as evidenced by its first nuclear weapons tests in late May 1998. Acquisition of nuclear-related goods from foreign sources will remain important if Pakistan chooses to develop more advanced nuclear weapons. China, which has provided extensive support in the past to Islamabad’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, in May 1996 pledged that it would not provide assistance to unsafeguarded nuclear facilities in any state, including Pakistan. We cannot rule out, however, some unspecified contacts between Chinese entities and entities involved in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development.”

Pakistan, according to the report, continued to rely on China and France for its ACW requirements. Islamabad received delivery of upgraded Mirage IIIs from France, and negotiated to purchase an additional 40 F-7 fighters from China.

INDIA: In the report’s section on India, the CIA says New Delhi continued its nuclear weapons development programme, for which its underground nuclear tests in May 1998 were a significant milestone. The acquisition of foreign equipment will benefit New Delhi in its efforts to develop and produce more sophisticated nuclear weapons. During the period covered by the report, India continued to obtain foreign assistance for its civilian nuclear power programme, primarily from Russia.

“India continues to rely on foreign assistance for key missile technologies, where it still lacks engineering or production expertise. Entities in Russia and Western Europe remained the primary conduits of missile-related and dual-use technology transfers during the first half of 2001. India also continues an across-the-board modernization of its armed forces through ACW acquisitions, mostly from Russia, although many of its key programmes have been plagued by delays. New Delhi received the first two MiG-21-93 fighter aircraft, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will now begin the licensed upgrade of 123 more aircraft.”

India, the report points out, concluded “an $800 million contract with Russia for 310 T-90S main battle tanks, as well as a smaller contract for KA-31 helicopters. It is negotiating with Russia for nuclear submarines and an aircraft carrier, and it also continues to explore options for leasing or purchasing several AEW systems. New Delhi also signed a $270 million contract with Israel for the Barak-1 missile defense systems. The Indian air force has reopened the competition for jet trainer aircraft and is considering bids from the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Russia, and the United Kingdom.”