Indo-US nuclear deal
The deal is good for India because India extracted benefits from the US without compromising its concerns.
India holds immense possibilities for nuclear energy and Nuclear energy has the potential to change energy supply situation in India. If India succeeds in rising nuclear supplied power from the present 3 percentage to 10 percent or more it will not only change the face of India’s energy supply but will also reduce India’s dependence on Coal and Oil.
The agreement makes India the only country in the world to possess an N-bomb and pursue its military nuclear programme as a proclaimed nuclear power without signing the NPT. USA has agreed to let India import fuel for civilian programme and is committed to get a similar exemption from NSG. This frees up domestic fuel for weapon programme. USA has also guaranteed uninterrupted fuel supply.
The agreement paves the way for availability of hitherto not available dual-use technology such as Supercomputer’s to India. The agreement ends four decades of isolation for India during which time Indian reactors worked inefficiently for lack of fuel and equipment. The agreement even allows reprocessing of spent fuels, in designated facilities. Even these will not be inspected by US inspectors but by IAEA. The agreement does not undermine the integrity of India’s three-stage N-programme.; pressurized heavy-water reactors in the first stage, fast breeder reactors in the second stage and third development of thorium based reactors. India’s third concern has also been addressed. India’s self-imposed moratorium on future nuclear testing has not been converted into a legally binding commitment in the 123 agreement as the US wanted.
Even if India tests a device, both New Delhi and Washington have agreed to a one-year notice period before the agreement could be terminated. The consultations will consider the relevant circumstances. The benefits of this agreement will be realized more by next generation.
India holds immense possibilities for nuclear energy and Nuclear energy has the potential to change energy supply situation in India. If India succeeds in rising nuclear supplied power from the present 3 percentage to 10 percent or more it will not only change the face of India’s energy supply but will also reduce India’s dependence on Coal and Oil.
The agreement makes India the only country in the world to possess an N-bomb and pursue its military nuclear programme as a proclaimed nuclear power without signing the NPT. USA has agreed to let India import fuel for civilian programme and is committed to get a similar exemption from NSG. This frees up domestic fuel for weapon programme. USA has also guaranteed uninterrupted fuel supply.
The agreement paves the way for availability of hitherto not available dual-use technology such as Supercomputer’s to India. The agreement ends four decades of isolation for India during which time Indian reactors worked inefficiently for lack of fuel and equipment. The agreement even allows reprocessing of spent fuels, in designated facilities. Even these will not be inspected by US inspectors but by IAEA. The agreement does not undermine the integrity of India’s three-stage N-programme.; pressurized heavy-water reactors in the first stage, fast breeder reactors in the second stage and third development of thorium based reactors. India’s third concern has also been addressed. India’s self-imposed moratorium on future nuclear testing has not been converted into a legally binding commitment in the 123 agreement as the US wanted.
Even if India tests a device, both New Delhi and Washington have agreed to a one-year notice period before the agreement could be terminated. The consultations will consider the relevant circumstances. The benefits of this agreement will be realized more by next generation.
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