The Nuclear Deal: A Paradigm Shift in India-US Relations

To augment the energy security of the nation through a large scale enhancement of our capacity to generate nuclear power is the overarching objective of the US-India civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. Towards this end, the Act of 2006 seeks to end the protracted and hurting nuclear isolation of India, under certain conditions. The second, but equally important, objective of the Act is to reduce the global demand for fossil fuels significantly and thereby contain environmental pollution worldwide. Issues of nuclear proliferation, arms race and disarmament, etc., though eminently desirable, are extraneous to the Deal. The Deal itself should be seen as an integral part of the paradigm shift underway in the bilateral relationship between India and USA since the mid-1980s. As such, it is timely and welcome. However, from our point of view, there are still a few key concerns that need to be taken care of in the negotiations now underway with the US, IAEA and NSG in order to implement the Deal. Only future can unravel as to what extent our objections and concerns will be met. In any case, the option to walk out is always open to us, and also to the other side; and that has its consequences too. Reality has no obligation to be simple, simply because we are unable to comprehend its complexities.