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The
Nuclear Deal: A Paradigm Shift in India-US Relations
-- B.
Ramesh Babu
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.
©
2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.
Indo-US
Nuclear Deal
-- R.
Kalidas
The
outcome of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal significantly alters
the share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation
capacity in India in the coming decades. There is severe
shortage of power at the present and it is likely to continue.
With the modest resources available and due to environmental
concerns, large-scale deployment of nuclear power is inevitable.
However, limited availability of uranium is a serious constraint.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)'s three-stage nuclear
power programme of progressive utilisation of uranium, the
plutonium generated from spent fuel and finally the abundantly
available thorium is moving forward. However, progress is
rather slow. For it to succeed, considerable quantity of
uranium is required, which has to be imported. The Indo-US
Deal assumes importance in this context. It can bring in
external inputs in the form of nuclear reactors, fuel for
the indigenously built reactors or both. In both the cases,
India, in all likelihood, will not be permitted to reprocess
the spent fuel to separate plutonium, the much-needed fuel
for breeder reactors to continue the three-stage programme
successfully. Thus, Indo-US Deal helps only in augmenting
the generation capacity quickly and not in our plans of
indigenous development in other areas. Acceptance of the
Deal is subject to continuation of our freedom to pursue
R&D, weapons programme and the three-stage plan independently.
If it does not take off for whatsoever reason, we will continue
with our plans. However, the prospect of nuclear power contributing
significantly to the nation's energy needs gets adversely
affected and delayed.
©
2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.
India-US Nuclear Deal: Can it Cross Congressional Hurdles?
-- P.
M. Kamath
The
Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government
negotiated with the Bush Administration a Civilian Nuclear
Deal (CND) in July 2005. There is no indication that Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh had taken Parliament into confidence
before he went to the US. However, he made a statement on
the CND soon after his return on 29 July. There was a detailed
discussion on it in the Parliament in August 2005, which
went on along the usual party lines. The Congress members
eulogised the PM for his achievement while the BJP—which
had in fact initiated talks with the US Government for a
civil Nuclear Deal—opposed it. Elders in the Rajya
Sabha, based on their past experience, cautioned the Government
on possible stabbing in the back by the US.
What
is the significance of the Nuclear Deal to India? Why was
it not implemented even though more than 18 months are over
after it was signed on 18 July 2005? If the CND were implemented
after overcoming all hurdles, could we hope to see great
improvement in India-US relations? This paper aims to understand
the significance of the Nuclear Deal for both the countries.
At the same time, it also tries to explain the delay in
the implementation of the Deal because of the unique legislative
process in the American system of Government. The paper
also tries to evaluate the possible success of the two Governments
in overcoming the legislative hurdles in implementing the
Deal and its positive role in improving India-US relations.
©
2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.
Indo-US
Nuclear Agreement: Policy, Legislation, and Implications
-- P.
V. Rao
Nuclear
issue always dominated and influenced the general course
of Indo-US relations. Delivery of US nuclear fuel and technology
to India under the bilateral Agreement of 1963 was frequently
contested by the US Congress, particularly after Pokhran-I.
Ever since India resisted the American-sponsored multilateral
nuclear non-proliferation agreements such as NPT and CTBT,
Congress was opposed to cooperation with India. In this
regard the Executive and Legislative branches of the US
Government did not always see eye to eye. This paper examines
the current controversy over the Indo-US Nuclear Agreement
of July 2005 in historical perspective. Unlike in the past
the Bush Administration is now very enthusiastic to cooperate
with India in the promotion of India's civilian nuclear
energy generation capability. However, if the past experience
is any guide, the US Congress is likely to be sceptical
and obstructive when the process of implementing the Deal
unfolds in the near future.
©
2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.
The
Hyde Act: A Prospective Perspective
-- G.
R. K. Murty
The
Hyde Act is considered by some as a "nuclear triumph"
for India, while some dub it as an infringement on her sovereign
rights. It is strongly believed that the "growth constraint
would by and large be removed for civilian nuclear power
if the ultimate agreement emerges out as wished for."
Nevertheless, we must look at the Hyde Act with an eye on
the future rather than being bogged down by the sour past
of the bilateral relations. While not succumbing to "outside
pressure", we should look at the Deal from the perspective
of "paying something to get something in return".
And its execution calls for "statesmanship" at
every level of governance on both the sides.
©
2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.
Book
Review
Infrastructure:
Foundation of Rural Development
--
Author:
NCAER
Reviewed
by Prajna Paramita Mishra
As
India is trying to achieve a growth rate of more than 8%
during the 11th Plan period, infrastructure development
in both rural and urban areas is vital. So far urban areas
have been ahead and care should be taken to achieve development
of infrastructure in rural areas on an equally large scale.
Otherwise, the rural-urban imbalance will grow further,
which is unjust and could undermine the very legitimacy
of our governing institutions.
©
2007 National Council of Applied Economic Research. All
Rights Reserved. IUP holds the copyright
for the review.
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