IN A NUTSHELL, THE INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL MEANS:

• The 123 agreement (as per the Section 123 of Atomic Energy Act of 1954) allows US to sell nuclear fuel and nuclear technology to India for civilian purposes. The agreement, approved now by the Indian Cabinet, is reported to be in consonant with the Hyde Act passed in 2006.
• India will get nuclear fuel from America to run the nuclear power reactors (PHWRs), at full capacity. This is in spite of the fact that India is not a signatory to Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• India is required to separate nuclear facilities for civilian and military use.
• India can continue to reprocess spent nuclear fuel from its civilian reactors. However, the spent fuel from the safeguarded reactors will be reprocessed in a separate reprocessing facility under international safeguards.
• In the event of India testing any nuclear weapons, the supply of nuclear fuel / technology will be terminated by the US. The supplied fuel may have to be returned. Not sure of the political consequences of the test. US may assist to procure fuel from some other countries of the 35 member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for continued operation of the civilian reactors producing commercial power.
• Finally, the deal could open-up the presently dormant nuclear power related American business to the tune of US$100billion.
• India gets much needed nuclear power, which is environmental friendly.