The UPA government appears to have made up its mind on signing the Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement, even as the Left parties continue to stick to their original position.Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi over the last few days point towards the government’s renewed resolve to go ahead with the controversial deal.But the Left parties are stuborn in their position to not let the deal go throgh. So, what's the big deal about this Indo-US nuclear deal ?
The deal ended India's isolation among many nuclear capable states like USA,Germany, China and France.It also ended the over four decades-old American sanctions slapped on India after its first nuclear tests in 1974. Agreement also means that the hurdles faced by India in procuring nuclear technology and fuel have been removed for good. Moreover, all other current restrictions on India's access to America's high and dual technologies will also be withdrawn as a result.India will be able to build more nuclear power plants. At present it has 15 functional plants with an additional seven under construction.
Delhi thinks that the nuclear energy is the answer to its ever-growing needs for power. With this deal India will not have to depend totally on foreign oil and gas for its increasing energy needs.In a way the American acceptance of the Indian nuclear position is a reward to India for its consistent defiance and refusal to join the NPT. In contrast, the US is adamant to deny nuclear power to Iran which is not only a signatory to the NPT but has also signed an additional protocol which provides more transparency to Tehran's nuclear activities.US wants to engage India in its global schemes. India is already a military partner of the US. Since 2001 it has carried out 35 joint military exercises at sea, land and air, both in the US and in India.
The withdrawal of sanctions against Delhi will help India in many ways. It will open the gates for Indo-US cooperation in lucrative space research and scientific cooperation in many fields which are currently barred to Indians. The US has refused to offer a similar deal to Pakistan. India, Washington says, has demonstrated that it is a responsible nuclear power. Pakistan, on the other hand, is accused of helping nuclear proliferation.
So, this is all the reasons why, India and UPA is very adamant in this deal. Readers should also weigh the deal and ask themselves which side of the coin they support. I, for one will definetely support the deal, no matter what the Left and the BJP say. If this deal do not go through, then it will be very difficult to meet our energy needs in the future.
