Saswat Panigrahi
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it would have a net gain for the non-proliferation regime. French President Jacques Chirac said the deal marks the progress both for nuclear non-proliferation controls and for efforts to curb global warming. China reacted cautiously to the deal clinched. And Pakistan sought a similar deal. Well, time to jump the gun, it was the nuclear between India and US, which was accorded during the recent zippy visit of US President George W Bush to India.
After a series of initiatives the nuclear deal between India and US bear fruit. With that there came an end to all the debates, discussions and speculations.
Though an anti Bush and anti American campaign spilled around during the ‘momentous’ visit of the American President, it was President Bush, who was explicitly charmed by the unprecedented honour and for that he thanked the people of the largest democracy for the warmth of the reception and the generosity of the hospitality.
The visit was special in many angles. It enhanced co-operation between the two countries in security, economic, energy and nuclear matters.
It was at 1200 hrs on March 2 in Hyderabad House lawns, history was written in a very vivid form. In that very hour the President of the world’s greatest democracy and the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy signed the nuclear deal.
India gave a list of civilian nuclear installations. US guaranteed the supply of nuclear fuel for Indian reactors. Now India is to decide the status of all future reactors whether civilian or military. All civilian reactors of India are now under permanent safeguards, but in return guaranteed lifetime fuel supply.
“We have made history today,” a few words of PM Dr Manmohan Singh sums of the entire development.
“What this agreement says is things change, times change, that leadership can make a difference…It’s not an easy job for the Prime Minister to achieve this agreement, I understand. It’s not easy for the American President to achieve this agreement, but it’s a necessary agreement.” These were the spontaneous words from the visibly pleased American President George W Bush.
With these words the Indo-US relationship promised to usher a new era. The words which were fluttered with the waves of US and India flags underscored the warm relation between the two countries and indeed yet another visible demonstration of the desire of both the countries to build an increasingly important relationship. Moreover, this bunch of golden words is just a full fledged proof that the world’s largest democracy and the world’s greatest democracy have much in common.
In the Indo-Us joint statement the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the American President George W Bush expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two great democracies in advancing the strategic partnership to meet the global challenges of the 21st century.
“Both our countries are linked by a deep commitment to freedom and democracy; a celebration of national diversity, human creativity and innovation; a quest to expand prosperity and economic opportunity worldwide; and a desire to increase mutual security against the common threats posed by intolerance, terrorism, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The successful transformation of the US-India relationship will have a decisive and positive influence on the future international system as it evolves in this new century,” the Indo-US joint statement says.
The Indian Prime Minister and the American President reaffirmed their commitment to expand even further the growing ties between the two countries. And going with this avowed objective the two leaders made a candid effort to highlight the areas of deep concern, which includes economic prosperity and trade, energy security and a clean environment, innovation and the knowledge economy, global safety and security, deepening democracy and meeting international challenges.
It reminds us the very genesis of the nuclear deal -- two important initiatives by two efficient Prime Ministers of our nation at different periods of world history.
It was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who included ‘nuclear energy’ as the first item for cooperation with the United States under the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP). The steps are moving forward.
It was during the visit of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to US months ago, there unfolded yet another surprise. For the first time in history, an Indian leader addressed a joint meeting of US Congress, an honor shared by only a handful of world leaders. It was during Dr Singh’s nuclear visit, US vowed to cooperate with India to develop its civilian nuclear power program. In return, the India promised to adhere to global agreements aimed at curbing arms proliferation, and would work with the International Atomic Energy Agency to put safeguards in place. And now an agreement on a new dialogue on civil nuclear technology, which involves the sharing of civilian nuclear information has been materialised on record. And with that India and the US have reached an understanding on the implementation of the civil nuclear cooperation.
Perhaps, the most significant initiatives taken by the two great democracies of the world to move the world from the era of nuclear threats and confrontation to an age of peaceful, fruitful and constructive partnership in peaceful usages of nuclear power.
But the question which is still doing rounds is that how the deal is going to impact on the national security. The answer is very crisp and clear. With the coming into effect of the deal, there is an end of an era -- the era of nuclear isolation. The emergence of the new era paves a way to meet the energy crisis of the country. There will certainly be an enhancement of nuclear power availability in the country. And with that our country can gain access to the most economical, the most environmental friendly and the most reliable form of energy. And it ultimately results in enhancing national security since it helps the economy to grow.
Though the deal is simply described with the word ‘historic’ or ‘momentous’ or ‘landmark,’ it is still being mired in controversy amid animated debates and discussions both in India and US. According to reports non-proliferation specialists in Washington are making a baseless claim that the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal will lead to New Delhi expanding its weapons production with implications on Pakistan and China. And now the American President is likely to face the guns of a hostile non-proliferation lobby, a group of skeptical Congressional leaders in both the US Senate and in the House of Representatives and a divided nuclear suppliers group. In India Dr Manmohan Singh is facing a top task amid the stiff resistance of left parties and muslim groups.
Well amid the fiascos the two countries recognised nuclear power, a part of the non-proliferation order. Both the sides accepted each other as strong strategic partners.
Hours before the American President left for Pakistan, he explained what has driven him to change an entrenched international order for India.
“India in the 21st century is a natural partner of the US because we are brothers in the cause of human liberty.”
“By applying the most advanced technology and international standards to India’s civilian nuclear program, we will increase safety and reduce the risk of proliferation. And by helping India meet its energy needs, we will take the pressure off the price of fossil fuels for consumers in India and America and around the world. We’ll help India be good stewards of our environment, and we will strengthen the bonds of trust between our great nations.”
“The world has benefited from the example of India’s democracy, and now the world needs India’s leadership in Freedom’s cause.”
These words of the American President speak volumes that he is charmed with an incredible India.
A very crucial point which clearly emerges from the strong partnership of India and US showcases an aggressive promotion of democracy worldwide. There is now a growing and clearer understanding between the two sides on the converging strategic interests and mutual respect for each others priorities.
According to reports Wahington’s Defence establishment assured in a candid statement guarantees of nuclear fuel supply in return for perpetual safeguards on its civilian nuclear reactors. The statement confirmed that the US has offered both F-16 and F- 18 aircraft to India.
The US has already launched a major Global Nuclear Energy Partnership along with Russia, Japan, France, Germany and UK to introduce plutonium burning reactors. Now India is likely to join the group of nations.
Here a point needs to be pondered over. The great Indian culture and heritage, its expanding economy and its expertise on Science and Technology are the factors which attracts the US to boost a symbiosis with India.
The move of enhancement Indo-US relationship will certainly lead to an increased interaction of India with other major powers. In the process India is going to play a larger and more effective role in international economy and politics.
“The integrity of our Nuclear Doctrine and our ability to sustain a minimum credible nuclear deterrent is adequately protected,” Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said in the floor of the Parliament.
The enhancement of India-US relationship is a catalyst, which ultimately helps both the countries to face the new international security environment. The political fundamentalists who oppose the deal perhaps have not understood the brevity of the international relations, the growing importance of a global security environment. They are ignorant about the politics of balance of power system and hence are unable to adjust themselves with the changing currents of time.
The world is heading towards an energy crunch. A dynamic balance of power system involving competition among nations calls for a growth in International symbiosis. In such a specter the Indo-US deal will certainly be a boon for India.
However, it is a dramatic shift from the situation in 1998, when India conducted a nuclear weapons test. The dream of “attempts for peace,” seen to be becoming a reality after all. Well, it is not only India’s gain in nuclear and energy sector, which is on the eye ball to many a political analysts across the world, but the rising position of India as an emerging world leader. However it remains to be seen how the US supports India’s bid for a veto power and a permanent member of the Security Council. Let’s wait, watch and wonder.
-- Appeared as a Cover story in March 15, 2006 issue of Day After news magazine
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it would have a net gain for the non-proliferation regime. French President Jacques Chirac said the deal marks the progress both for nuclear non-proliferation controls and for efforts to curb global warming. China reacted cautiously to the deal clinched. And Pakistan sought a similar deal. Well, time to jump the gun, it was the nuclear between India and US, which was accorded during the recent zippy visit of US President George W Bush to India.
After a series of initiatives the nuclear deal between India and US bear fruit. With that there came an end to all the debates, discussions and speculations.
Though an anti Bush and anti American campaign spilled around during the ‘momentous’ visit of the American President, it was President Bush, who was explicitly charmed by the unprecedented honour and for that he thanked the people of the largest democracy for the warmth of the reception and the generosity of the hospitality.
The visit was special in many angles. It enhanced co-operation between the two countries in security, economic, energy and nuclear matters.
It was at 1200 hrs on March 2 in Hyderabad House lawns, history was written in a very vivid form. In that very hour the President of the world’s greatest democracy and the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy signed the nuclear deal.
India gave a list of civilian nuclear installations. US guaranteed the supply of nuclear fuel for Indian reactors. Now India is to decide the status of all future reactors whether civilian or military. All civilian reactors of India are now under permanent safeguards, but in return guaranteed lifetime fuel supply.
“We have made history today,” a few words of PM Dr Manmohan Singh sums of the entire development.
“What this agreement says is things change, times change, that leadership can make a difference…It’s not an easy job for the Prime Minister to achieve this agreement, I understand. It’s not easy for the American President to achieve this agreement, but it’s a necessary agreement.” These were the spontaneous words from the visibly pleased American President George W Bush.
With these words the Indo-US relationship promised to usher a new era. The words which were fluttered with the waves of US and India flags underscored the warm relation between the two countries and indeed yet another visible demonstration of the desire of both the countries to build an increasingly important relationship. Moreover, this bunch of golden words is just a full fledged proof that the world’s largest democracy and the world’s greatest democracy have much in common.
In the Indo-Us joint statement the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the American President George W Bush expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two great democracies in advancing the strategic partnership to meet the global challenges of the 21st century.
“Both our countries are linked by a deep commitment to freedom and democracy; a celebration of national diversity, human creativity and innovation; a quest to expand prosperity and economic opportunity worldwide; and a desire to increase mutual security against the common threats posed by intolerance, terrorism, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The successful transformation of the US-India relationship will have a decisive and positive influence on the future international system as it evolves in this new century,” the Indo-US joint statement says.
The Indian Prime Minister and the American President reaffirmed their commitment to expand even further the growing ties between the two countries. And going with this avowed objective the two leaders made a candid effort to highlight the areas of deep concern, which includes economic prosperity and trade, energy security and a clean environment, innovation and the knowledge economy, global safety and security, deepening democracy and meeting international challenges.
It reminds us the very genesis of the nuclear deal -- two important initiatives by two efficient Prime Ministers of our nation at different periods of world history.
It was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who included ‘nuclear energy’ as the first item for cooperation with the United States under the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP). The steps are moving forward.
It was during the visit of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to US months ago, there unfolded yet another surprise. For the first time in history, an Indian leader addressed a joint meeting of US Congress, an honor shared by only a handful of world leaders. It was during Dr Singh’s nuclear visit, US vowed to cooperate with India to develop its civilian nuclear power program. In return, the India promised to adhere to global agreements aimed at curbing arms proliferation, and would work with the International Atomic Energy Agency to put safeguards in place. And now an agreement on a new dialogue on civil nuclear technology, which involves the sharing of civilian nuclear information has been materialised on record. And with that India and the US have reached an understanding on the implementation of the civil nuclear cooperation.
Perhaps, the most significant initiatives taken by the two great democracies of the world to move the world from the era of nuclear threats and confrontation to an age of peaceful, fruitful and constructive partnership in peaceful usages of nuclear power.
But the question which is still doing rounds is that how the deal is going to impact on the national security. The answer is very crisp and clear. With the coming into effect of the deal, there is an end of an era -- the era of nuclear isolation. The emergence of the new era paves a way to meet the energy crisis of the country. There will certainly be an enhancement of nuclear power availability in the country. And with that our country can gain access to the most economical, the most environmental friendly and the most reliable form of energy. And it ultimately results in enhancing national security since it helps the economy to grow.
Though the deal is simply described with the word ‘historic’ or ‘momentous’ or ‘landmark,’ it is still being mired in controversy amid animated debates and discussions both in India and US. According to reports non-proliferation specialists in Washington are making a baseless claim that the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal will lead to New Delhi expanding its weapons production with implications on Pakistan and China. And now the American President is likely to face the guns of a hostile non-proliferation lobby, a group of skeptical Congressional leaders in both the US Senate and in the House of Representatives and a divided nuclear suppliers group. In India Dr Manmohan Singh is facing a top task amid the stiff resistance of left parties and muslim groups.
Well amid the fiascos the two countries recognised nuclear power, a part of the non-proliferation order. Both the sides accepted each other as strong strategic partners.
Hours before the American President left for Pakistan, he explained what has driven him to change an entrenched international order for India.
“India in the 21st century is a natural partner of the US because we are brothers in the cause of human liberty.”
“By applying the most advanced technology and international standards to India’s civilian nuclear program, we will increase safety and reduce the risk of proliferation. And by helping India meet its energy needs, we will take the pressure off the price of fossil fuels for consumers in India and America and around the world. We’ll help India be good stewards of our environment, and we will strengthen the bonds of trust between our great nations.”
“The world has benefited from the example of India’s democracy, and now the world needs India’s leadership in Freedom’s cause.”
These words of the American President speak volumes that he is charmed with an incredible India.
A very crucial point which clearly emerges from the strong partnership of India and US showcases an aggressive promotion of democracy worldwide. There is now a growing and clearer understanding between the two sides on the converging strategic interests and mutual respect for each others priorities.
According to reports Wahington’s Defence establishment assured in a candid statement guarantees of nuclear fuel supply in return for perpetual safeguards on its civilian nuclear reactors. The statement confirmed that the US has offered both F-16 and F- 18 aircraft to India.
The US has already launched a major Global Nuclear Energy Partnership along with Russia, Japan, France, Germany and UK to introduce plutonium burning reactors. Now India is likely to join the group of nations.
Here a point needs to be pondered over. The great Indian culture and heritage, its expanding economy and its expertise on Science and Technology are the factors which attracts the US to boost a symbiosis with India.
The move of enhancement Indo-US relationship will certainly lead to an increased interaction of India with other major powers. In the process India is going to play a larger and more effective role in international economy and politics.
“The integrity of our Nuclear Doctrine and our ability to sustain a minimum credible nuclear deterrent is adequately protected,” Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said in the floor of the Parliament.
The enhancement of India-US relationship is a catalyst, which ultimately helps both the countries to face the new international security environment. The political fundamentalists who oppose the deal perhaps have not understood the brevity of the international relations, the growing importance of a global security environment. They are ignorant about the politics of balance of power system and hence are unable to adjust themselves with the changing currents of time.
The world is heading towards an energy crunch. A dynamic balance of power system involving competition among nations calls for a growth in International symbiosis. In such a specter the Indo-US deal will certainly be a boon for India.
However, it is a dramatic shift from the situation in 1998, when India conducted a nuclear weapons test. The dream of “attempts for peace,” seen to be becoming a reality after all. Well, it is not only India’s gain in nuclear and energy sector, which is on the eye ball to many a political analysts across the world, but the rising position of India as an emerging world leader. However it remains to be seen how the US supports India’s bid for a veto power and a permanent member of the Security Council. Let’s wait, watch and wonder.
-- Appeared as a Cover story in March 15, 2006 issue of Day After news magazine
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