Dubai, Feb 20: Saudi Arabia could have some form of uranium enrichment within the kingdom under a proposed nuclear deal with the United States, congressional documents and an arms control group suggest, raising proliferation concerns as an atomic standoff between Iran and America continues.

US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden both tried to reach a nuclear deal with the kingdom to share American technology. Nonproliferation experts warn any spinning centrifuges within Saudi Arabia could open the door to a possible weapons program for the kingdom, something its assertive crown prince has suggested he could pursue if Tehran obtains an atomic bomb.

Already, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact last year after Israel launched an attack on Qatar targeting Hamas officials. Pakistan’s defense minister then said his nation’s nuclear program “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia if needed, something seen as a warning for Israel, long believed to be the Middle East’s only nuclear-armed state.

“Nuclear cooperation can be a positive mechanism for upholding nonproliferation norms and increasing transparency, but the devil is in the details,” wrote Kelsey Davenport, the director for nonproliferation policy at the Washington-based Arms Control Association.

The documents raise “concerns that the Trump administration has not carefully considered the proliferation risks posed by its proposed nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia or the precedent this agreement may set.”

Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to questions Friday from The Associated Press

Congressional report outlines possible deal

The congressional document, also seen by the AP, shows the Trump administration aims to reach 20 nuclear business deals with nations around the world, including Saudi Arabia. The deal with Saudi Arabia could be worth billions of dollars, it adds.

The document contends that reaching a deal with the kingdom “will advance the national security interests of the United States, breaking with the failed policies of inaction and indecision that our competitors have capitalized on to disadvantage American industry and diminish the United States standing globally in this critical sector.” China, France, Russia and South Korea are among the leading nations that sell nuclear power plant technology abroad.

The draft deal would see America and Saudi Arabia enter safeguard deals with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog. That would include oversight of the “most proliferation-sensitive areas of potential nuclear cooperation,” it added. It listed enrichment, fuel fabrication and reprocessing as potential areas.

The IAEA, based in Vienna, did not immediately respond to questions. Saudi Arabia is a member state to the IAEA, which promotes peaceful nuclear work but also inspects nations to ensure they don’t have clandestine atomic weapons programs.

“This suggests that once the bilateral safeguards agreement is in place, it will open the door for Saudi Arabia to acquire uranium enrichment technology or capabilities — possibly even from the United States,” Davenport wrote. “Even with restrictions and limits, it seems likely that Saudi Arabia will have a path to some type of uranium enrichment or access to knowledge about enrichment.”

Enrichment isn’t an automatic path to a nuclear weapon — a nation also must master other steps including the use of synchronized high explosives, for instance. But it does open the door to weaponisation, which has fuelled the concerns of the West over Iran’s program.

The United Arab Emirates, a neighbour to Saudi Arabia, signed what is referred to as a “123 agreement” with the US to build its Barakah nuclear power plant with South Korean assistance. But the UAE did so without seeking enrichment, something nonproliferation experts have held up as the “gold standard” for nations wanting atomic power.

Saudi-US proposal comes amid Iran tensions

The push for a Saudi-US deal comes as Trump threatens military action against Iran if it doesn’t reach a deal over its nuclear program. The Trump military push follows nationwide protests in Iran that saw its theocratic government launch a bloody crackdown on dissent that killed thousands and saw tens of thousands more reportedly detained.

In Iran’s case, it long has insisted its nuclear enrichment program is peaceful. However, the West and the IAEA say Iran had an organized military nuclear program up until 2003. Tehran also had been enriching uranium up to 60 per cent purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent — making it the only country in the world to do so without a weapons program.

Iranian diplomats long have pointed to 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments as a binding fatwa, or religious edict, that Iran won’t build an atomic bomb. However, Iranian officials increasingly have made the threat they could seek the bomb as tensions have risen with the US

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s day-to-day ruler, has said if Iran obtains the bomb, “we will have to get one.”

Thailand is one of the most preferred international destinations for Indian travellers due to its beaches, vibrant culture and affordable experiences. The good news is that you may now apply for a Thailand e-Visa entirely online without going to a consulate, making travel there simpler than ever. Due to the current digital system, travellers can get their visa application approved in just a few minutes.

However, inadequate information or mistakes in documents may still cause delays or rejection of visa applications despite the digital process. So, read on for a simple, step-by-step guide to help Indians apply for a Thailand e-Visa easily.

Required Documents for Applying for Thailand E-Visa

If you are planning to visit Thailand, you will require the following documents to apply for a Thailand Visa for Indians.

How to Apply for a Thailand E-Visa Online?

To get your Thailand e-visa before travelling, the application process you need to follow is:

1. Step 1: Sign Up in the Portal

Visit the Thailand visa official website or any online third-party e-visa website, like ACKO*, through which you can apply for a visa. Create an account with your email, password, or mobile number and log in to the portal.

1. Step 2: Complete the Application Form

After you create your account, start filling out your application form. You must provide your personal information, your employment information, your address, both current and permanent, and your family information. Additionally, it includes some questions regarding your travel history, purpose of travel, etc.

1. Step 3: Submit Necessary Documents

You must submit documents like your passport, your financial statements, flight and hotel booking statements, passport-sized photos, employment proofs, etc. These documents support your application and make you an eligible applicant.

1. Step 4: Make the Payment

After completing your application and submitting your documents, make the required payment.

1. Step 5: Receive Approval e-mail

After completing all the previous steps, the Thai foreign embassy will process your application and check whether you are eligible for an e-visa. After confirming, they will send the e-visa to your email ID.

Role of Digital Platforms in E-Visa Application

Digital platforms, like ACKO, play a significant role in simplifying the visa application process, from saving time to accessibility and convenience. Here are some features:

• Save the time of visiting a foreign embassy office in person.
• You can access the online portal 24/7 except during the maintenance period.
• Grants you the option of tracking your application online.
• Does not require an interview at the consulate office.

There are multiple e-visa platforms, such as ACKO*, iVisa, VFS Global, and Sherpa. They are completely user-friendly applications and offer a completely paperless process.

*Please note that ACKO offers visa services that are powered by Visa2Fly.

What are the common Mistakes for the Thailand E-Visa Application?

Some common visa-related mistakes that lead to rejection of a Thailand visa for Indians include an incomplete application, a lack of supporting documents, etc. Here are the details:

1. Incomplete or Wrong Information

Providing incomplete or wrong information that does not align with your submitted documents may demand explanations and even lead to visa rejections.

1. Lack of Valid Documents

Not providing enough documents may lower your chances of being granted a visa, as the embassy cannot verify your statements with the documents, eventually leading to application rejection.

1. Insufficient Funds

If you cannot show sufficient deposits to fund your Thailand trip to the Thai embassy, they will not approve your visa. You need to show your bank statements, Thailand travel insurance policy or other necessary documents to prove your financial stability.

1. Visa Overstays

If the embassy thinks that there is a possibility that you would overstay your visa, your e-visa will not be approved. Support your application with a marriage certificate and property ownership proofs.

Final Words

The Thailand e-Visa system has simplified overseas travel for Indian tourists, allowing applications to be filed online with ease. Nonetheless, make sure you are well-prepared with the documents and recheck all the requirements to avoid delays in visa approval or rejection.

Also, travellers who prefer to get a guided support can opt for digital platforms like ACKO*. They offer services in terms of assistance, document check and real-time tracking, making the overall e-isa application process easy and reliable.

*Please note that ACKO offers visa services that are powered by Visa2Fly.