India government wins Trust vote

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.

Indo-US deal has become a non-issue

The political game which is being played just now is not really related with the Indo-US nuclear deal. The one-point agenda is to topple the government and try various political permutations and combinations preparatory for the next elections. The deal should not be allowed to be the casualty of the Indian dirty politics. At one point of time, BJP had no objection for the government for going ahead with the deal. Slowly everything has changed. If BJP votes against the deal, it will reflect very badly on its past image of supporting “nuclear” India.

In fact, BJP should support the deal and then fight the elections as a party with principles and national interest in focus. Let the tit-bit parties get aligned with any party. BJP Leader L.K. Advani should have a long-term vision for the country keeping in view of the energy security and climate change. The people of the country will revolt against BJP, if the party does not support the government on the nuclear issue. Congress may come back with majority in the next elections.

Multi-year IAEA Project to make Comparative Analysis of Nuclear Waste and CO2 Storage

Economists and energy planners at the IAEA have embarked upon a multi-year project that will make a comparative analysis of the storage of nuclear waste and carbon dioxide. The project is expected to be of interest to many countries investigating nuclear power while weighing mounting anxiety over climate change. The study will seek to provide information and experience about the possible advantages and disadvantages of going to fossil-based or nuclear-based power generation.

Concerns over climate change and energy security have prompted greater interest in carbon capture and storage (CCS), a technology that would reduce greenhouse gases emissions by trapping CO2 emitted by fossil fuel power plants and storing them underground, similar to the safe long-term disposal of nuclear waste generated in nuclear power plants. The project will also look at the environmental impact of storing the two waste products underground, and the potential hazards to human health.

Nuclear shield for India’s Parliament

It is a laudable decision by the Indian government to provide safety shield against nuclear attacks and use of other weapons of mass destruction to the Parliament. In view of the fact that the neighboring countries are testing all types of long-range missiles with nuclear capabilities, it is only the right thing to provide adequate safety and security measures to protect the Parliament House in New Delhi. Cost of such a provision is immaterial.

It is reported that the security plan includes building shielded bunkers to protect against radiation exposure, and a state-of-the-art Air Filtration equipment to filter-out chemicals unleashed is a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons attack. The nation has already witnessed terrorist strike on the Parliament in 2001.

Nation expects an early decision and implementation of the scheme at the earliest.

G8 Leaders Stress Safe, Peaceful Nuclear Development

Leaders of the Group of 8 countries (G8)singled out the IAEA´s key roles in tackling challenges of safe and peaceful nuclear development - including actions to address climate change - at their summit in Japan from 7-9 July 2008. In his summary statement of 9 July, Chairman Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan, pointed out rising interest among countries in nuclear power programmes as a means to address climate change and energy security concerns.

The countries regard nuclear power as an essential instrument in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and hence greenhouse gas emissions. It was reiterated that safeguards (nuclear non-proliferation), nuclear safety and nuclear security are fundamental principles for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. With regard to the Civil Nuclear Cooperation with India, the Chairman stated that G8 countries look forward to working with India, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and other partners to advance India´s non-proliferation commitments and progress so as to facilitate a more robust approach to civil nuclear cooperation with India to help it meet its growing energy needs in a manner that enhances and reinforces the global non-proliferation regime.

G8 countries include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union also participates in the summit which takes place once a year. The next summit is scheduled for Maddalena, Italy in 2009.

What is 123 Agreement?

The 123 Agreement is so called because Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954 establishes an agreement for civilian nuclear cooperation as a prerequisite for nuclear deals between the US and any other nation. This agreement needs to be signed as part of the Indo-US nuclear deal to be submitted to the US legislature for its approval. Article 2.4 of the Agreement provides for continuing with un-safeguarded nuclear activities such as weapons program, of either party.

This can happen once the India-specific IAEA safeguards are approved, and India approaches NSG for clearance to nuclear fuel supply to India. However, any supply from US may not be possible without India passing legislation to provide “nuclear Liability Protection”, which guarantees for providing compensation to the public in the event of an accident so that the suppliers of nuclear materials are not affected.

Draft India-specific IAEA safeguards revealed

The draft IAEA safeguards agreement prepared and submitted by Indian government to IAEA for approval by the Board of Governors revealed that:

1. India can have continuous and uninterrupted nuclear fuel supply from NSG countries
2. The country separates its civilian and military nuclear facilities in a phased manner
3. India will have access to international fuel market/fuel suppliers and can have reserve of nuclear fuel.

These are in favor of the country, and the fears of the Left parties are adequately addressed. However, the more important issue is to see how quickly the US President handles the deal to get approval of the US Congress. Time is running out for both the governments.

IAEA Safeguards

IAEA is an international United Nations agency with a mandate to accelerate, and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world. The agency should ensure that any assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used for furthering any military purposes. The IAEA is authorized to establish and administer the source or fissionable material specific- safeguards to ensure its mandate. Once the safeguards document is approved by the Board of Governors of the IAEA, the country can approach Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) of countries for nuclear fuel supply for the reactors under the safeguards. There are six nuclear power reactors in India which are already under IAEA safeguards.

The safeguards consist of basic documents, relevant protocols, material supply agreements, verification of non-proliferation undertakings, and guidelines related to the implementation of the IAEA safeguards. The purpose is to have full control over the fissionable material, mainly plutonium produced in the nuclear reactors which are under the safeguards. The plutonium can also be used in nuclear weapons/devices with military applications.

Indo-US deal likely to be clinched

Left parties, part of the coalition government at the centre has withdrawn the support to the Manmohan Singh government on the nuclear issue. The India government has decided to go ahead with the deal. The reason to oppose the deal by Left Parties may simply be because USA is involved, and anything American should be opposed whether it is in the national interest or not!

Now, the trial of strength in the Lok Sabha will be called for by the President and one has to see whether Samajwad Party and the other splinter parties will be able to make-up for the loss of number of MPs from the Left parties. Winning the trust vote will take the deal past IAEA, and India can approach Nuclear Suppliers Group for nuclear fuel for its civilian reactors. Anyway, the Congress government has taken a bold step in the national interest. The success of the deal will also give a boost to the much needed privatization plan of nuclear power in India

Indo-US nuclear deal is in national interest

Indo-US nuclear deal is in national interest – says Ex. President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to the Samajwadi Party. In case of a pull-out of Left parties from the government, Samajwadi Party is being asked to support the government from falling on India going ahead with the deal. There is also a lot of pressure from US, from President Bush, on India to go ahead with the deal before the next government in US takes over. In-spite of all these obstacles, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is all for the nuclear deal is really praiseworthy. It is purely on the basis of merit, in national interest and on global warming considerations. Nuclear power is environmentally friendlier as compared to coal-fired power plant.

If the government succeeds in clinching the deal, hats off to the government for the robust support for a good national cause. This also will wipe-out Left Parties from the national scene once for all.