The Democrat controlled US Congress passed a new law that will require the US President to take “punitive action” against nations with dubious proliferation records or those that cooperate with those that proliferate. The Nuclear Black Market Counter Terrorism Act requires that Pakistan be taken to task if it does not cooperate in coming to terms with the Taliban on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Observers say that this law is a warning against Pakistan for sheltering disgraced nuclear scientists A.Q. Khan. There is increased perception that Congressional sources disagree with the Administration view of sheltering Islamabad for tactical access to Afghanistan.

This law has the potential of being used against India for continuing relations with Iran which has been accused of proliferating. New Delhi should seek dialogue with Congressional leaders to understand the complete import of the bill and how its relations with Iran are viewed.