This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
5 November 1990
Press Trust of India releases a report stating that Indian biologists are creating viruses that can kill insect pests that destroy crops. According to the report, the National Institute of Immunology and the Tamul Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore are engineering genes of Baculoviridae for this purpose.
—"India Biologists Creating Suicide Squads of Viruses to Combat Insect Pests," The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 5 November 1990.
1993
The Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences is relocated to a building on Lucknow Road in Delhi.
—Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dls/dipas/history.shtml>.
1994
Following an outbreak of plague in Surat, India, the government focuses on Y. pestis. Medical school work is designed to deal with plague in more detail, and the National Institute for Communicable Disease's plague unit is modernized to allow more efficient diagnosis. The government also plans to set up a sophisticated national surveillance system.
—"Urban Environment and Human Health," World Resources 1996—1997: A Guide to the Global Environment, <http://www.wri.org/wr-96-97/uh_b3.html>.
1994
The Jamnalal Bajaj Tropical Disease Research Center is established at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram. The center is to focus on immunodiagnostics, immunomonitoring, immunoprophylaxis, and surveillance and molecular studies related to filariasis, tuberculosis, and leprosy.
—Indian Parasitology Centers, <http://www.parasitologyindia.org/parasitology_centers.htm>.
13 July 1995
Iran, Pakistan, India, and China obstruct the establishment of a verification system for the BWC.
—Jane's Information Group, 13 July 1995, issue #000/2359.
1996
The Defense Agricultural Research Laboratory moves it headquarters to Pithoragarh.
—Defense Agricultural Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/drl/darl/history.shtml>.
16-27 September 1996
The Defense Research & Development Establishment conducts a Continuing Education Program (CEP) course on Fundamentals of Biotechnology.
—Defense Research & Development Establishment, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/material/drde/history.shtml>.
December 1996
At the Fourth Review Conference of the BWC in Geneva, Switzerland, Indian representative Arundhati Ghose states that setting up a verification system for the convention would be difficult. Ghose cites the dual-use nature of biotechnology as one of the impediments to having an effective system. She adds that a verification system that balances these concerns is feasible, and that the group should continue to work for such a system but not be tied down by artificial deadlines.
—"UN: State Parties Cite Urgent Need to Strengthen Biological—Weapons Convention," M2 Presswire, 3 December 1996.
26 October 1997
The Taskforce on Biotechnology and Agro-based Industries recommends that India set up a biodiversity center for the evaluation and genetic mapping of indigenous plants unique to Kerala. The taskforce believes that doing this will help improve India's agriculture sector by creating better seeds, biofertilizers, biopesticides, and improved cultivation, harvest and storage methods.
—"India: Biotechnology Park Mooted For State," The Hindu, 27 October 1997, p. 6.
25 November 1997
US Defense Secretary William Cohen states that over 25 countries have or may be developing chemical and biological weapons and ways to deliver them. Cohen did not list all 25 nations, but states that the programs of North Korea, China, Pakistan, Russia, and India all represented a threat to the United States.
—"US Lists 'Threatening' Nations," Calgary Herald, 26 November 1997, News; p. A11.
1998
According to Western intelligence sources, Libya has purchased equipment and laboratory instruments from India, China, and Serbia that allows it to develop its biological weapons program.
—Michael Evans, "Iraqi Scientists Helping Libyan Germ Warfare," The Times, 6 January 1998, Overseas News.
May 1998
The United States imposes sanctions on 200 Indian companies following India's successful nuclear test.
—India-Pakistan Sanctions Legislation Fact Sheet, 11 July 2001, http://www.clw.org/control/indopaksanctions.html>.
June 1998
The Defense Ministry agrees to open eight Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) laboratories to industrial use.
—CII-DRDO joint initiatives, <http://www.ciidefence.com/Rsearch/r&dmainpage.htm>.
July 1998
The Indian Ministry of Defense, working with the Confederation of Indian Industries, sets up a task force to explore partnerships with seven DRDO facilities. The laboratories are involved in developing dual-use technologies, biotechnology, and software. The partnership is part of an effort to counter sanctions against India.
—"Sanctions Spur Indian Privatization," Jane's Defense Weekly, 1 July 1998, p. 16.
14-19 September 1998
The Defense Research & Development Establishment conducts a Continuing Education Program (CEP) course on Concepts in Toxicology.
—Defense Research & Development Establishment, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/material/drde/history.shtml>.
22 October 1998
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam introduces Revac-B, a vaccine for hepatitis B, developed by the Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech International Limited.
—"Revac-B Vaccine Launched," Business Line, 24 October 1998.
1999
Former Biopreparat first deputy chief Ken Alibek asserts in his book Biohazard that during a trip to India, he saw indications of a possible biological weapons program. Alibek states that increased security at certain Indian facilities convinces him that India is developing these weapons.
—Ken Alibek, Biohazard (New York: Random House, 1999), p. 279.
5 April 1999
The Indian Army calls for the formation of a National Infrastructure Cell. The cell would assess threats, implement and monitor countermeasures, and develop ways to warn potential targets. The Army also calls for a National Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection. The Commission would consist of scientists, government and private sector officials, and would be tasked with finding ways to defend infrastructure and develop appropriate countermeasures.
—"Cell to Assess Terrorist Threat Mooted," The Statesman, 5 April 1999.
6 July 1999
According to unidentified Pakistani sources, India has started preparations to develop biological weapons. According to these sources, it is receiving help from Israel, along with unidentified German and Bulgarian companies. The sources also state that India will use these weapons to avert the use of nuclear weapons.
—"Pakistan Claims India Developing Biological Weapons," Khabrain in Urdu, 6 July 1999, available from FBIS, document identification number BK0607150099.
April 2000
The Defense Materials & Stores Research & Development Establishment in Kanpur organized a Vaccination Camp. The goal of the camp was to provide employees and their families vaccinations and protection against Hepatitis-B.
—"DMSRDE Organized Vaccination Camp," DRDO Newsletter, 2000, <http://www.drdo.org/pub/nl/july2000/dmsrde.htm>.
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Updated September 2003 |
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