India’s UPA government has won the much talked about trust vote to go ahead with the Indo-US nuclear deal. Now that as indicated, government can approach IAEA and Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NSG) and the rest will depend on how fast the US President takes it through the US Congress. Virtually, now the issue is to be handled mainly by Bush administration before the possible changes US and Indian governments next year. The benefit of winning trust vote should not be lost just because the things are not made to move at the speed required to operatioanalize the deal.
From Indian side, the required legislative changes in the Atomic Energy Act for private participation in nuclear power scenario should be done immediately. The positive response of the industrial stocks in Bombay Stock Exchange is indication of the potential overall industrial growth which is likely to occur due to the nuclear deal.
Now, the one big question in everybody's mind is: what happens to the thorium fuel cycle? The efforts put in by the scientists and engineers for years to master the thorium route for power generation should not go waste. Now that the hi-tech will be available from advanced countries, the government should pursue the thorium route with greater zeal so as to ensure long-term energy security.
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'Much talked about' are the operative words. I expect that IAEA agreement shall be signed but NSG clearance is another ball game even with US on India's side. Also the days of easy and cheap uranium availability are over. It maybe that some items denied as 'dual use'can be imported by India. However the Russians (and possibly French) may not feel any pressure in NSG if they agree to supply some fuel.
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