Indo-US nuclear deal in deep freeze?

The stalled Indo-US nuclear deal is more of a problem of politics. It is reported that the safeguards agreement with the IAEA is yet to be finalized. The UPA government seems to be yielding to the pressure from Left parties. It is unfortunate that India could still remain in nuclear isolation from the 35 member Nuclear Suppliers Group.

India is one of the very few countries which has mastered all the nuclear fuel cycle operations, starting from mining for uranium to reactor operations, waste management and recycle the un-spent uranium, or the by-product plutonium as fuel in breeder reactors or thorium fuel cycle operations. The nuclear-fuel bank, as a part of the US-sponsored Global Nuclear Energy Partnership proposed by the IAEA Chief, Mohammed El Baradei in the year 2006 is much relevance to India once the nuclear deal is through.

The changed political scenario in our neighboring country is of great concern. National security is of prime concern rather than yielding to the political blackmail by the left parties. Pakistan’s new government, after assuming the office last, test-fires nuke-missiles, Shaheen-ll with a reach of 2,000 km. It is capable of hitting targets deep inside the country. Any deal should take into consideration the security requirements of the country before finally operationalising it. India should never give-up its rights to have nuclear tests as and when it is required.