Editor's Pick | Chinese 'dual-use cargo' seized enroute to Pakistan

Indian customs in January seized two advanced Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines manufactured by GKD, Italy at the Mumbai port. These are now thought to be the latest discovery of dual-use items from China, potentially for use in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme. In other words, the equipment could be used in manufacturing critical parts for Pakistan’s missile development programme. The items continue to remain in Indian custody, The Hindu learnt from sources in the security establishment. The consignment was shipped on merchant vessel CMA CGM Attila, a Malta-flagged vessel from Shekou Port in China on January 9. It was heading to Karachi Port. Cosmos Engineering was the assignee. The vessel reached Mumbai on January 22 where the consignment was seized based on intelligence inputs citing potential proliferation concerns by Pakistan and China. Officials on the condition of anonymity confirmed that Cosmos Engineering had been on their watchlist since March 2022. This was when Pakistan was trying to procure ‘thermo-electric instruments’ from an Italian firm, with Cosmos Engineering being the consignee. This was ultimately intercepted on March 12, 2022, in Mumbai. China in Feb 2020 had attempted to supply an autoclave to Pakistan under the cover of an ‘industrial dryer’. This was seized from a Hong Kong-flagged Chinese ship which was headed to Pakistan’s Port Qasim. The occurrence had initially invited the apprehension about Islamabad continuing the illegal trade of missiles and violating the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Beijing has also been assisting Pakistan in the construction of civil nuclear power plants. The Hindu’s Profiles Gaganyaan astronauts | The chosen four A.M. Khanwilkar | From SC to Lokpal The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. was fined ₹5.49 crore for violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by which agency? Comptroller and Auditor General NIA Financial Intelligence Unit-India ED To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 03 March 2024 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]Open in browser [Mail icon]More newsletters Chinese ‘dual-use cargo’ seized enroute to Pakistan Indian customs in January seized two advanced Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines manufactured by GKD, Italy at the Mumbai port. These are now thought to be [the latest discovery of dual-use items from China]( potentially for use in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme. In other words, the equipment could be used in manufacturing critical parts for Pakistan’s missile development programme. The items continue to remain in Indian custody, The Hindu learnt from sources in the security establishment. The consignment was shipped on merchant vessel CMA CGM Attila, a Malta-flagged vessel from Shekou Port in China on January 9. It was heading to Karachi Port. Cosmos Engineering was the assignee. The vessel reached Mumbai on January 22 where the consignment was seized based on intelligence inputs citing potential proliferation concerns by Pakistan and China. Officials on the condition of anonymity confirmed that Cosmos Engineering had been on their watchlist since March 2022. This was when Pakistan was trying to procure ‘thermo-electric instruments’ from an Italian firm, with Cosmos Engineering being the consignee. This was ultimately intercepted on March 12, 2022, in Mumbai. China in Feb 2020 had attempted to supply an autoclave to Pakistan under the cover of an ‘industrial dryer’. This was seized from a Hong Kong-flagged Chinese ship which was headed to Pakistan’s Port Qasim. The occurrence had initially invited the apprehension about Islamabad continuing the illegal trade of missiles and violating the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Beijing has also been assisting Pakistan in the construction of civil nuclear power plants. The Hindu’s Profiles [Arrow][Gaganyaan astronauts | The chosen four]( [Arrow][A.M. Khanwilkar | From SC to Lokpal]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. was fined ₹5.49 crore for violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by which agency? - Comptroller and Auditor General - NIA - Financial Intelligence Unit-India - ED To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads Copyright© 2024, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( Manage your newsletter subscription preferences [here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](