SOURCE: AFI
Indian port authorities have redoubled their efforts to monitor maritime traffic passing through Indian waters following a surge in military-grade consignments originating from China and destined for Pakistan’s strategic entities. These shipments pose a significant threat to regional security, and Indian agencies are working tirelessly to prevent their entry into the country.
While the risk has escalated in regions like the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, Indian authorities remain vigilant about potential threats closer to home. Despite numerous seizures and sanctions imposed on alleged state-supported entities and shell companies, suspected clandestine proliferation activities have continued in recent months.
Three notable interdictions between June and August have raised serious concerns among defense and intelligence authorities. The first involved a consignment of 25,609 kg of aluminum alloy materials, seized at Nhava Sheva port on June 11. The second incident saw 14 packages, weighing 3,130 kg, intercepted at the same port on August 15. Both consignments were destined for Karachi from Chinese ports. The third interdiction involved an L-30 CNC lathe machine, transshipped at Port Klang in Malaysia and seized at Pipavav Port in Gujarat.
These cases have prompted detailed inquiries by Indian authorities to investigate the dual-use nature of the seized consignments. The threat has further intensified with the interception of ceramic crucibles and riser tubes, also destined for Karachi from a Chinese supplier. Experts determined that these items have potential dual-use applications and are listed under the SCOMET List category 4A008 as a controlled substance.
The interdictions have exposed Pakistan’s efforts to acquire sensitive equipment not only from China but also from other markets. A CNC machine, worth PKR 23.7 million, was intercepted at Pipavav Port in July, having been shipped from Japan and transshipped in Malaysia. The machine is believed to have military applications, such as manufacturing key aircraft components.
While Pakistan and China have vehemently denied shipping any dual-use items, Indian authorities remain concerned about the potential misrepresentation of final user details by Pakistan. The case of the Japanese CNC machine highlights the possibility that such misrepresentations may have gone undetected in other instances.
The ongoing vigilance of Indian port authorities is crucial in preventing the proliferation of military-grade technology to Pakistan. By closely monitoring maritime traffic and intercepting suspicious consignments, India is working to safeguard its national security and maintain regional stability.