The Aukus deal had raised China’s hackles. Announced on 21 September 2021, the deal is a trilateral security pact between US, UK and Australia. One of the pillars of the deal is to supply Australia with US and UK made nuclear propulsion technology including transfer of a nuclear reactor.
This has not gone down well with China which has insisted that the deal could lead to an arms race, potential nuclear proliferation and also threatens peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. Despite not being a part of Aukus, India is a member of the QUAD and China is looking to keep its neighbour under check.
It is known that China’s nuclear submarines dock at Karachi port and the growing collaboration between Pakistan and China is clearly evident, including areas like nuclear proliferation. At present Pakistan’s undersea nuclear capability is curtailed and it can only boast of a single submarine launched cruise missile (SLCM) – Babur III.
The Aukus deal is clearly in favour of Australia but India has got no such favours from the US and UK. This deal may force China to hand nuclear technology to Pakistan. China is already building 8 Hangor class submarines which are a derivative of Type 039B submarine already in People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) service.
The Aukus deal will only strengthen Pakistan’s resolve to acquire true second-strike nuclear capability and may fuel China’s intentions of giving Pakistan such capability. This does not augur well for India as it is not a part of Aukus. Therefore, it is imperative that India look for partners to acquire such capabilities.
France could potentially be India’s trump card as the nation is already building Scorpene class diesel electric submarines for India and is also looking to offer its Barracuda nuclear attack submarine to the Asian country. Can France be India’s saving grace after its scrapped submarine deal with Australia? Only time will tell.
