THE humankind is subjected to the dual nuclear crises—nuclear arms race and prospering illicit nuclear bazaar. Nuclear vertical proliferation is ensuing due to the deliberate decision of the nuclear-armed states to modernize their nuclear arsenals to cope with the transforming global strategic environment. Simultaneously, the illicit nuclear bazaar is growing due to irresponsible national leadership, the discriminatory approach of international institutions, and outdated national and international nuclear monitoring systems.

The nuclear taboo—a normative inhibition against the first use of nuclear weapons—has desisted the nuclear-armed states from employing nuclear weapons in war. However, the nuclear taboo will not impede terrorist groups from using nuclear radiological material in their attacks. Indeed, the probability of nuclear radiological terrorism has been increasing in South Asia with the growing illicit nuclear bazaar in India. In recent years, many nuclear material trafficking incidents in India have been reported. The latest one was the arrest of three smugglers and recovery of 50 grams of radioactive californium worth 850crore Indian rupees (over $100 million) by the local police on August 8, 2024. The repeated incidents of nuclear theft accentuate that India has emerged as a potential hotspot in the illegal trade of nuclear radioactive........

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