Indian security agencies intercept a Pakistan-bound ship from China suspected of transporting a dual-use consignment with potential applications for Islamabads nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The ship was intercepted at Mumbais Nhava Sheva. Acting on reports, customs officials detained the Malta-flagged merchant ship, CMA CGM Attila, bound for Karachi on January 23.𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 : Indian customs officials have seized a Chinese shipment meant for Pakistan at the Mumbais Nhava Sheva port, on the suspicion of being a possible dual use consignment which could be used for Pakistans nuclear and ballistic missile programme. Indian officials… pic.twitter.com/R9flS68anl— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) March 2, 2024DRDOs verificationA team from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inspected the consignment and verified the CNC machines potential for manufacturing crucial parts for Pakistans missile development efforts. Authorities have expressed apprehensions that Pakistan might be leveraging China to procure restricted items from Europe and the US, obscuring identities to evade detection.#India seizes Pakistan bound cargo from #ChinaKarachi-bound ship from #China was stopped by Indian security agencies at Mumbais Nhava Sheva port on suspicion that it contained a dual-use consignment that could be used for #Pakistans nuclear and ballistic missile program,…— Suhaib Zuberi (@SuhaibZuberi) March 2, 2024What are the findings of investigationDocuments identified the consigner as Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd and the consignee as Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd of Sialkot. However, further investigation revealed that the shipment, weighing 22,180 kilograms, originated from Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd and was intended for Cosmos Engineering in Pakistan.Port officials alerted Indian defense authorities, who scrutinized the heavy cargo and raised concerns, leading to the seizure. The action is aimed at preventing potential proliferation by Pakistan and China.What are uses of CNC machinesCNC machines, controlled by computers, offer enhanced efficiency, consistency, and precision compared to manual methods. Since 1996, CNC machines have been subject to the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international arms control regime focused on curbing the spread of equipment with civilian and military applications. India, among 42 member countries, shares information on transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technologies.Past instances and sanctionsThis incident isnt the first instance of Indian port officials intercepting dual-use military-grade items en route from China to Pakistan. In February 2020, China attempted to supply an autoclave to Pakistan disguised as an industrial dryer.In June 2023, the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies, including General Technology Limited, for their involvement in supplying missile-related items to Pakistans ballistic missile program.Scrutiny of Cosmos EngineeringCosmos Engineering, a Pakistani defense supplier, came under scrutiny on March 12, 2022, when Indian authorities seized Italian-made thermoelectric instruments at Nhava Sheva port.
