The New Nation - Internet Edition

Md. Masum Billah

An agreement unveiled between India and US three years back (2005) which allows the US to set nuclear plants and related technology to India once it has separated its civil and military programmes and accepted a certain level of UN inspection. India needs International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA) and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) approval before the US Congress has a final vote before Washington goes into presidential election mode. US ambassador to India David C. Mulford said, "Washington was actively on its way to getting the deal through before time runs out." They seem to be in a hurry to implement the deal which germinates confusion and doubts in the other nuclear sensitive countries and peaceful world as well.

India is sending out envoys to lobby for the final international clearances needed to finalize the controversial nuclear energy deal .The diplomatic offensive comes after the ruling coalition survived a hard-fought confidence vote in a parliament sparked by left-wing and communist oppositions. Senior cabinet ministers and foreign ministry officials had left New Delhi to solicit the support of members of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).Science Minister Kapil Sibal is travelling to IAEA headquarters in Vienna while foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon is in Germany to persuade Berlin, a member of the influential NSG that regulates nuclear commerce to back the pact. Another senior government envoy Shyam Saran, was in Ireland, anther NSG member while National Security Adviser M.K.Nayayanan will head abroad this weekend. The parliament has given Dr.Singh and his government the the ticket to carry on with implementing the pact.

The government survived a chaotic parliamentary confidence vote on July 22, 2008 clearing the way for it to forge ahead with a civilian nuclear energy deal with US. Prime Minister won the backing of 275 deputies against 256 who oppose his congress-led government mainly left-wingers and Hindu nationalists. Singh needed just a simple majority to survive and see through the last year of his mandate.

Had he failed, the world's largest democracy would have headed into-early elections with his opponents emboldened. It gives government green signal to move forward with a pact with Washington designed to bring India into the global loop of nuclear commerce after decades of international isolation. "This has sent an important message to the world that India is ready to take its rightful place on the committee of nations." -Singh. said. His officials continued, "Now we have crossed a major bridge that is the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal. Now we will move ahead on economic and social reforms-government officials gave an impassioned defense of the deal during two days of special debate arguing that the countries' 1.1 billion people badly need alternative source of energy to avert an impending fuel crunch."

Left-wingers triggered the vote by withdrawing their support for Singh earlier this month. The main opposition Hindu Nationals BJP had argued the deal would tie traditional neutral India too closely with the US. Non- align Movement by some pioneering world leaders among them Nehru stood prominent. This deal will trample the ideology of Nehru.

They also argued it would compromise the country's nuclear weapon program and the ability to keep ahead of main regional rival Pakistan who is also possessing nuclear weapons.

It will surely stimulate and give impetus to Pakistan to further go ahead with their nuclear plan. China, the rival of India, who also wants to take prominent position in the world and spread its authoritative hand over its neigbours will be encouraged to develop such kind of pact to counter America and India. She may do the same pact with Pakistan which will be very strategic. Indirectly this pact sends an irritant wave not only to South Asia but also whole world.

It is very strange that the policy of the US to secure India's cooperation on a number of issues involving Iran, including its capability to reprocess nuclear fuel in spite of the fact that Iran as an NPT signatory, has the right to enrich uranium for use in light water reactor. But Iran has already undergone three international bans. It is continually threatened and pressurized by the US and its allies whereas India is actively helped and encouraged shows the double dealing behaviour.

This agreement aims to give India its rightful place in the world on parity with other powers. "Ananda Sarma, Junior Foreign Minister said. Rahul branded by critics as a political novice said" I decided that it is important not to speak or member of a political party but to speak as an Indian.

The problem of energy security reflects itself among all Indians. Energy is responsible for allowing us to grow us at nine and the growth allows us to help our poor." India, home to over a billion people and with an economy stemming along with 9% growth, is seen by virtually every MP from all parties in the Lok Sabha as nothing than an emerging superpower.

Indo-US relation, there is strong affirmation that America was never loyal to India. The ghost of American let down still haunts India. But America broke the ice successfully because of its vested interests. The American military Industry sees India as huge potential market and the same are true of the nuclear deal industry and other.

Ron Somers, head of the Indo-US Business Council says India's nuclear energy market has estimated the need of US$100 billion in foreign direct investment creating 2,70,000 American jobs in high technology and manufacturing over the next decade. India in return will chalk up less than 2.5% of nuclear power generation it needs 2015 at a hefty cost of natural resources if the deal comes through.

"America has dictating presence in the Middle East and some Asian countries. White House strategy reveals that it needs a huge presence of military and infrastructure to rule the rest in Asia and undermine their economy of the continent. India can not only be trusted to support America's interest, but also can serve as a vital location for operation in the continent "- Billy I Ahmed, a researcher of international politics, comments.

Bush telephoned to Singh saying "I look forward to continuing work with your government to strengthen the US India strategic relationship" India is is hopeful of getting support of Nuclear Suppliers Group and wrapping up its nuclear accord with US by September. Science and Technology Minister Kabil Sibal said before leaving Finland and Sweden-two difficult countries.

They are known for strong non-proliferation sensitivities and have serious reservation about the use of nuclear energy on safety and environment grounds. Both India and US are up and doing to immediately go into nuclear operation in defiance of domestic and international desire which will trigger the tension and irritations in South Asia and the whole world. Dr. Singh reminisces his childhood in this way, " Everyday I have tried to remember that the first ten years of my life were spent in a village with no drinking water supplier, no electricity, no hospital, no road and nothing that we today associate with modern living. I had to walk miles to school. I had to study in the dim light of kerosene oil lamp." Really this is the typical scene of rural India and her neigbhouring countries. What role this nuclear pact will play to bring positive change to this typical scence?