Indo-US nuclear deal - India's diplomatic triumph

The much awaited and much publicized Indo-US nuclear deal is yet to be signed by the heads of the two countries. The House of Representatives approved the deal and endorsed the 123 Agreement, and the US senate has also cleared the deal with 86 votes for and 13 against the nuclear deal. World leaders hailed the Prime Minister of India for the landmark development in India’s nuclear scenario. It was the diplomacy of the higest order.

Now, India can go any NSG country for nuclear trade, without signing the NPT and CTBT, which are mandatory for such international nuclear cooperation. This is an ultimate exemption for India by the US with IAEA’s full support. India’s nuclear isolation ends as it enters the exclusive nuclear club.

The reactions in India is of jubilation except in the Left wing parties which states that the deal is a complete surrender to the US and betrayal of India’s vital interests. The party claims that the actual beneficiary is US nuclear industry, which is promised to get orders for nuclear plants to produce 10,000 Mwe at a projected cost of Rs.280,000 Crore! The left parties are not satisfied with the conditions of the 123 Agreement. Finally, India may or may not get the much wanted high technology of reprocessing and enrichment.

Now, India has to prepare itself for the enhanced nuclear activity in terms of specialized man power, the necessary legislation and augmentation of the regulatory infrastructure. Public safety should be ensured at any cost. Strategic needs should never be compromised. The government should ensure that the Indian industries should be the main beneficiary from the nuclear cooperation. The work on the thorium fuel cycle should be continued to sustain India’s long-term nuclear ambitions.