Fresh allegations from the United States have ignited discussion regarding China’s nuclear activities in the tense weeks following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash with India. A senior US official has claimed that Beijing conducted a covert nuclear test following the deadly confrontation in the Galwan Valley, using a method known as “decoupling” to evade detection.
What the US claims
The allegation was made by Thomas G DiNanno, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. In a series of tweets on social media, DiNanno accused China of testing a “yield-producing nuclear test” on June 22, 2020, which is four days after the incursion in Galwan, by detonating a nuclear device inside a large cavity.
“China has conducted nuclear explosive tests”, he posted.
According to him, the test produced yields in the range of hundreds of tons and deliberately exploited geological conditions to weaken seismic signals. He argued that this strategy undermines international arms control measures and seeks to take advantage of gaps in these approaches.
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What is the ‘Decoupling’ technique?
Decoupling refers to a method in which a nuclear explosion is conducted within a spacious underground chamber rather than solid rock. The empty cavity absorbs the vibrations to the point that the explosion appears to be much smaller or even ambiguous.
This makes detection difficult for international surveillance networks such as those operated by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation, which rely on a combination of seismic, oceanic acoustic and radionuclide information to detect the detonation of a nuclear weapon. As per a report by Times Now, experts note that while such a procedure will not be able to disguise the signature of a large explosion, it can obscure the signature of a small explosion.
Galwan clash and regional tensions
The India-China border clash in the Galwan Valley on June 15-16, 2020, was the worst India-China border clash witnessed in decades. As a result of the invasion, 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives. The Chinese military has not released any official figures. After the clash, the military was deployed during the harsh weather in eastern Ladakh.
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According to the report by Times Now, speculation exists about whether a nuclear test occurred days later. However, not enough public-verifiable proof, such as seismic or radionuclide data, has surfaced. Sceptics caution that proof would probably come from sources beyond their knowledge or classification.
China has signed but not ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, a position shared by the US. Beijing have long opposed such allegations, which they have termed political in nature. The relations between both nations are, therefore, further strained with regard to rearmament agreements.
