Udai Bhanu Singh replies: ASEAN Centrality means that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must be in the driver’s seat and be responsible for formulating a common vision and implementing it. New Delhi has consistently maintained its support for ASEAN Centrality. India’s Indo-Pacific strategy works in tandem with its Act East Policy, with ASEAN Centrality as its basis.

Rajiv Nayan replies: The NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) does not prohibit the development of nuclear submarines or the transfer of nuclear materials used as propellants in naval reactors/nuclear submarines. The CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) is not relevant for nuclear submarines or related materials. The NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) guidelines do have restrictions for enriched materials and facilities for the purpose. However, NSG is a control and not a prohibition body.

Abhay Kumar Singh replies: AUKUS commitment to support Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy has unarguably been the most eye-catching provision in the announcement of an enhanced trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Notwithstanding significant international attention, this announcement about the nuclear submarine deal remains devoid of key details.