The US-India Atomic Energy Act promises to be the one of the most crucial treaties of the modern times. This is an act that not only establishes co-operation between the largest and the richest democracy's - but is also an harbinger to enhanced ties between these two giants.
In a time when even the signatory members of the controversial NPT - countries such as Iran and the once ratified North-Korea are facing flak from the rest of the world for developing nuclear technologies - here we have a non-signatory member being offered an option for technology transfer. This move is not only unprecedented, but also a great moral victory on a global stage for India.
It is an win-win situation for both countries as one can see it. India - a developing country facing acute power crisis gets accelerated access to advanced technology to fulfill its power needs and also establishes friendly ties with the most powerful and like-minded friend that one can have. United States on the other hand has clear commercial benefits to reap - and the added advantage of cozying up to a sleeping giant that is well on its way to wake up and dominate the coming century. It is in the interest of both countries to continue to build their relationship to next levels.
The deal looks all set to augur a new era in world politics - one that not only confirms the eastward shifting of the balance of world power - but in a way, also signals an unspoken acceptance to India's concerns over the nuclear-discrimination caused by NPT .
All of it was looking good - until a few spoil-sports, started creating obstacles - for reasons that seems to be inspired from local and petty political considerations.
It is sad to see the state of affairs.
Those opposing the deal, do not even site concrete reasons/solutions/alternatives to solve the energy crisis the country is facing. They talk about dangers of getting 'too close' to the capitalist powers of the United States - while conveniently ignore the very poignant fact that India has been registering record GDP rates only due to the money flowing in from this 'capitalist' country.
It is my hope that such short sighted political agendas do not derail the chance of a greater good-will and common-sense to prevail.
It reminds me of a poem I heard when I was perhaps seven years old. May be - the members of CPI should brush up their third standard literature syllabus - they surely seem to be behaving like seven year olds !
Heres hoping that for the want of the nail of petty polics we do not loose us the kingdom of friendly co-operative co-existence.
In a time when even the signatory members of the controversial NPT - countries such as Iran and the once ratified North-Korea are facing flak from the rest of the world for developing nuclear technologies - here we have a non-signatory member being offered an option for technology transfer. This move is not only unprecedented, but also a great moral victory on a global stage for India.
It is an win-win situation for both countries as one can see it. India - a developing country facing acute power crisis gets accelerated access to advanced technology to fulfill its power needs and also establishes friendly ties with the most powerful and like-minded friend that one can have. United States on the other hand has clear commercial benefits to reap - and the added advantage of cozying up to a sleeping giant that is well on its way to wake up and dominate the coming century. It is in the interest of both countries to continue to build their relationship to next levels.
The deal looks all set to augur a new era in world politics - one that not only confirms the eastward shifting of the balance of world power - but in a way, also signals an unspoken acceptance to India's concerns over the nuclear-discrimination caused by NPT .
All of it was looking good - until a few spoil-sports, started creating obstacles - for reasons that seems to be inspired from local and petty political considerations.
It is sad to see the state of affairs.
Those opposing the deal, do not even site concrete reasons/solutions/alternatives to solve the energy crisis the country is facing. They talk about dangers of getting 'too close' to the capitalist powers of the United States - while conveniently ignore the very poignant fact that India has been registering record GDP rates only due to the money flowing in from this 'capitalist' country.
It is my hope that such short sighted political agendas do not derail the chance of a greater good-will and common-sense to prevail.
It reminds me of a poem I heard when I was perhaps seven years old. May be - the members of CPI should brush up their third standard literature syllabus - they surely seem to be behaving like seven year olds !
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
4 comments:
Good post Suraj. The petty squabbles can bloody bring the government down if the Commies pull the rug.But I've always wondered the the US' stand on this is way too partial...a separate policy for India and a separate one for others just based on the fact that we are 'mostly' a peace loving nation?
Weird thing is that they probably forgot we have 33% Commies in the current government.
agreed - that this US policy is a bit partial towards India :)
I have over time come to believe that "fairness" in its true form is non-existent in worldly affairs.
Be it war, peace, trade, loot or any of their derivatives - all of them seem to stem from some form of self-serving and partial preference.
Just thought will give a different perspective (or useless trivia).
Actually, one of the things which would happen after this treaty and the IAEA inspection ratifications, is that India does not necessarily buy nuclear fuel from US alone. It can buy from other states. Prominent among them is France, Russia and Australia who have shown interest.
The problem currently with commies is legitimate in a way, Its the Hyde Act. It specifies that if India does a nuclear test, then US cannot give nuclear support to India even for civilian use and explicitly said by undersecretary of state. So with all the plants built there will be no fuel.
A Tarapur like situation or what US had promised to Iran in the 70's but never fulfilled it at all.
On paper, a clear delineation between civilian and military installations has to be done. It may not be done in practice. As the commies see it is the way India is being brought into NPT and CTBT with this carrot. And that involves not letting India develop its own technology too. So although, our energy problems may be solved, self reliance may not be possible.
So while, I dont think Nuclear tests are gonna be anyways practical later on, as we are a nuclear weapon power, self reliance and subversion may be a critical issue to the commies.
So the question is, in the long run, will the buying of the nail cause the kingdom to be lost anyways!
Agreed - Even if India does get technological help, she should still make efforts to keep developing her own technology - Eg Thorium based ones, as India as big reserves of thorium. That is something we must do whether we get the technology or not.
Regarding getting assurance about un-interrupted supply in case we test nuclear weapons - no one can guarantee us that - right ? Even if we have a deal that says we have un-interrupted supply - those deals can be broken if the need of the hour is so. We have seen US and other countries break deals many times (eg: The F-16 sale to Pakistan).
So isn't it useless to stall the civilian deal only because of the Hyde act anyways ?
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