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A Karachi-bound ship from China, the Malta-flagged CMA CGM Attila, was halted at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port over concerns of a potential dual-use consignment. Indian customs officials, acting on intelligence, seized the consignment on January 23, suspecting its applicability to Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile program. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) certified a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine within the cargo, originally manufactured by an Italian company, as potentially assisting in critical parts manufacturing for Pakistan’s missile development.
The CNC machine, controlled by a computer for enhanced efficiency, consistency, and accuracy, falls under the Wassenaar Arrangement since 1996. The international arms control regime aims to prevent the proliferation of equipment with both civilian and military uses. The port officials alerted Indian defence authorities, leading to a detailed inspection and subsequent certification by DRDO experts.
With concerns over potential proliferation by Pakistan and China, the seizure aligns with the ongoing scrutiny of Chinese support for Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs. The consignment’s consignor was initially listed as “Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd,” with the consignee as “Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd” of Sialkot. Further investigation revealed the actual consigner, Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd, and the intended recipient, Cosmos Engineering in Pakistan.
Cosmos Engineering, previously on watchlists, was involved in a similar incident in March 2022 when Indian authorities intercepted a shipment of Italian-made thermoelectric instruments. The ongoing investigation explores possible connections between the suspected Pakistani entities and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DESTO), responsible for much of Pakistan’s defence research and development.
In February 2020, China faced sanctions for supplying an autoclave, crucial for missile production, to Pakistan under the guise of an “industrial dryer.” The autoclave, seized from a Chinese ship, Dai Cui Yun, revealed covert attempts to facilitate Pakistan’s missile program, potentially violating the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
Despite international conventions and commitments, concerns persist over clandestine cooperation between China and Pakistan in acquiring restricted items. The interception underscores the need for continued vigilance to prevent potential violations of global agreements and regulations related to arms control and non-proliferation.
