There is a nuclear deal between Saudi Arabia and America for 30 years.
Saudi Arabia and America have signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement for the next 30 years. If this agreement comes into force, Saudi Arabia will be able to enrich uranium in its own country. And the world is opposing this agreement regarding this issue. The Additional Protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency has not been included in this agreement. Gold standard is also not part of this agreement. In such a situation, Saudi Arabia can use nuclear technology for any purpose in the name of electricity.
Let us know with this excuse what are nuclear safeguards? Why is there no additional protocol in the Saudi deal? Nuclear energy is a major source of electricity production today. But there is also a big risk associated with it. Nuclear technology can be used for peaceful purposes as well as for making destructive weapons. To prevent this risk, arrangements have been made for nuclear safeguards.
What are nuclear safeguards?
Nuclear safeguards are a set of technical measures. These are implemented by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Their main objective is to ensure that no country uses nuclear material or technology given for peaceful purposes to make nuclear weapons. When a country signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it has to enter into a safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Under this, inspectors of the agency inspect the nuclear centers of that country. They see whether the accounting of uranium or plutonium present there is correct or not? This is an audit system of the nuclear world.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Trump. Photo: Getty Images
What is additional protocol?
The Additional Protocol is an advanced and more stringent form of the standard security protocol. It was brought in the 1990s. In general security agreements, the International Atomic Energy Agency can investigate only those sites about which the country itself has given information, but the Additional Protocol gives a lot of powers to the agency. Under this, inspectors from international agencies can conduct surprise checks at any place in the country where they suspect nuclear activity.
This protocol obliges countries to provide information about all their undeclared nuclear activities. Its purpose is to completely stop the secret development of nuclear weapons. Most of the countries of the world including India and America have signed it.
Saudi Arabia-America nuclear deal
Saudi Arabia wants to diversify its economy by removing it from dependence on oil. For this he needs a large amount of electricity. Saudi Arabia has set a target of building a nuclear power plant under its Vision 2030 plan. America is interested in selling this technology to Saudi Arabia. According to US law, it can do nuclear cooperation only with those countries which follow strict security standards. Negotiations were going on for a long time between Saudi Arabia and America regarding the terms of this agreement, which is now in front of the world in the form of an agreement.
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Why is there controversy over Additional Protocol?
The biggest obstacle in the agreement between Saudi Arabia and America is the Additional Protocol. America wants Saudi Arabia to adopt this strict protocol, but Saudi Arabia is not ready for it at the moment. There are many political and strategic reasons behind this. Saudi Arabia argues that it only wants to generate electricity. But it does not want to completely give up its sovereign rights on nuclear technology. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had recently said that if Iran makes nuclear weapons, then Saudi Arabia will also have to do the same for its security.
Iran factor and regional politics
A large part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy is related to Iran. Iran is a regional rival of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia believes that international sanctions and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program have not been fully effective. Saudi Arabia wants to have the capacity to enrich uranium. Enrichment is the process by which nuclear fuel is made. But if this enrichment is done at a very high level, then the ingredients for a nuclear bomb are ready. America wants Saudi Arabia not to enrich uranium itself, but to buy fuel from outside. Saudi Arabia considers this condition against its sovereignty.
What is America’s challenge?
America faces a big challenge. If it gives nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia without additional protocols, global non-proliferation efforts will be weakened. Other countries may also demand similar exemptions. This will be considered a violation of the gold standard. On the other hand, if America does not provide technology to Saudi Arabia, then Saudi Arabia can turn to Russia or China. Russia and China often do not set as strict conditions for providing nuclear technology as America does. America does not want its influence in the Gulf region to diminish and China’s hold to strengthen.
What impact will this have on global security?
The start of nuclear program in Saudi Arabia can change the politics of the entire Middle East. If Saudi Arabia gets the technology without strict monitoring, countries like Türkiye and Egypt could also pursue nuclear ambitions. This will create a danger of starting a nuclear arms race in the region. Experts believe that this may increase nuclear tension in the Middle East like India-Pakistan. Therefore, the international community is pressurizing Saudi Arabia to adopt additional protocols.
The nuclear deal between Saudi Arabia and America is not just a matter of electricity. This is a game of geopolitics, security and trust. Saudi Arabia wants its security and regional advantage. At the same time, America wants that nuclear technology should not spread. The success of this deal in the future will depend on whether America is able to give such security guarantees to Saudi Arabia that it will agree to the additional protocol or whether Saudi Arabia will be willing to give up its insistence on enrichment and import fuel. Till then the Additional Protocol will stand as a big wall between this deal. For a peaceful world, it is necessary that nuclear energy be used only for the good of humanity. For this, strict security measures and transparent investigation system is the only way.
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