Indo-US nuclear deal – Will it be binding on the possible new governments?

Unfortunate rider to the Indo-US nuclear deal approval by the US Senate foreign relations committee is going to make India unhappy. The deal was approved by 19-2 margin. But, the condition is being stoppage of all transfer of technology, material and equipments to India in the event of India carry out a nuclear test. It also added a clause that the deal will be subjected to the provisions of the Hyde Act and other US laws. The Indo-US nuclear deal is introduced today in the US House of Representatives.

Will US also prevent the transfer of nuclear materials and technology from other NSG countries? Will India agree for such harsh conditions?

Does these conditions override the provisions of the 123 Agreement?

What are the chances of Manmohan Singh and Bush finally signing the deal during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to US?

Moreover, how both the governments will ensure that the deal (if signed) is binding on the possible new governments after the elections in US and India.

Nuclear Power Worldwide - Status

Nuclear power, in step with growing global demand for energy, will continue expanding into the next two decades, says the 2008 edition of Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period to 2030, just published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The report is produced every year since 1981, provides high and low projections - very general growth trends whose validity must constantly be subjected to critical review, the report states. The IAEA provides energy planning assistance to its 145 member states.

The low projection assumes that all nuclear capacity currently under construction or in the development pipeline gets constructed and current policies, such as phase-outs, remain unchanged. In such a scenario there would be growth in nuclear electricity production capacity to 473 gigawatt electrical (GW[e]) from the current 372 GW[e]. (A gigawatt is one billion watts). Rising costs of natural gas and coal, coupled with energy supply security and environmental constraints are among factors contributing to nuclear´s growth, said Hans-Holger Rogner, Head of the IAEA´s Nuclear Energy Planning and Economic Studies Section.

Mr. Rogner said that new environmental constraints such as entry-into-force of the Kyoto Protocol and the European carbon trading scheme mean there is now a real financial benefit to avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, adding to the appeal of low-carbon electricity generation, including nuclear power and renewables. The complete nuclear power chain - including uranium mining, reactor construction and waste disposal - emits only 3 – 24 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour, about the same as wind and hydro power, and well below coal, oil and natural gas.

The IAEA´s high projection, based on government and corporate announcements about longer-term plans for nuclear investments, as well as potential new national policies, such as responses to new international environmental agreements to combat climate change, estimates nuclear power electricity capacity would grow to 748 GW[e] by 2030.

From 2007 to 2008 the report says, total global electricity generation rose 4.8% while nuclear power´s share dropped to 14% from a nearly steady rate of 16 - 17 per cent between 1986 and 2005.

India prevails: India gets the crucial NSG waiver for Indo-US nuclear deal

International diplomacy of highest possible order was at display today at Vienna. India could clinch the much awaited waiver from the Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NSG). The two countries, Ireland and Austria were convinced by the Indo-US joint diplomacy and India makes history in the nuclear era. The 34-year old nuclear isolation has ended for India. The agreement now has to be cleared by the US Congress.

Along with the waiver and clinching the deal, the responsibility of India increases manifold. The world today accepted that: India has voluntarily declared moratorium on nuclear tests; India is a very responsible country in terms of nuclear applications, and it is a very big supporter of nuclear power, which is environmental friendly.

India should live up to the expectations of the NSG countries and others, who look up to India as an emerging super power in this part of the world.