Proverbially, there are only two sides of a coin, but as far as the Indo-US nuke deal is concerned, it’s more like a crystal, with multiple sides. In my first part of the post, I tried to debunk the nuclear energy aspect of the deal that is being currently espoused by our political leaders – at least the wherewithal of giving to the nation nuclear based energy on a strict timeline basis. Now to the other side of this vexing deal – Why is the US so interested in pushing the deal through? I would be loath to think that the US has our energy interests and security in mind and would be losing sleepless nights over it!
First and foremost, contain China
With the rise of the new world order with only one super-daddy, the vacuum created by USSR would sooner than later be filled up, and what better horse to bet upon than China. Here’s where the US policy mandarins start squirming. They would be loath to see China as a super-daddy, inimical to US interests and its desire to police the world seriously curtailed.
India, on the other hand, fits the bill neatly – We are close to China, have a burgeoning economy, are a democracy (like the US!), straddle a large part of the world with an even larger population. So, pitch India against China and hey presto! China is somehow, hopefully contained. What the US is forgetting is that to counter the India threat, China would continue to fuel and enrich the Pakistani nuke program. A zero-sum game and you start converting this place of the world into a mad basketplace, if it’s already isn’t. Well, to add to it the last bit of the tail, the US creates a large market for its armaments which it would hitherto miss if India is not on its right side.
Contain Non-proliferation
The US is being downright stupid here. India, has been, and continues to be among the most responsible (non-acknowledged) nuclear powers. We are not the guys going out and selling our nuke wares or technology to whoever comes calling. Please look a little beyond our boundaries…So, if you guys are touting that by having the deal, we can legally procure reactor fuel, you also thereby mean that we are being dishonest right now in our nuke fuel dealings – and that is an unacceptable position. Please concentrate on the bad guys.
India signs up the CTBT...
The US would be keen to see India as a signatory of the CTBT, and the give and take of the deal would ensure this. Pah! The US itself has not signed up and it’s expecting us to go ahead! I hope the South Block guys know what they are doing!
Make the world a greener one!
It’s common knowledge that the developed world shoots up more carbon in the air than the developing world. If the Indo-US nuke is to ensure that, we in India, shoot up less carbon, it is a noble thought but than ought the US not clean up its act at home!
So, what to do we have here? It’s beyond me to comment whether the deal is good or bad for India. It is for our foreign office mandarins to ponder upon…but I hope our political masters are shrewd enough to judge if they are leaving the country stronger and more secure by going into the deal.
If you want to read the previous post, click on the June archive on the right hand pane.
First and foremost, contain China
With the rise of the new world order with only one super-daddy, the vacuum created by USSR would sooner than later be filled up, and what better horse to bet upon than China. Here’s where the US policy mandarins start squirming. They would be loath to see China as a super-daddy, inimical to US interests and its desire to police the world seriously curtailed.
India, on the other hand, fits the bill neatly – We are close to China, have a burgeoning economy, are a democracy (like the US!), straddle a large part of the world with an even larger population. So, pitch India against China and hey presto! China is somehow, hopefully contained. What the US is forgetting is that to counter the India threat, China would continue to fuel and enrich the Pakistani nuke program. A zero-sum game and you start converting this place of the world into a mad basketplace, if it’s already isn’t. Well, to add to it the last bit of the tail, the US creates a large market for its armaments which it would hitherto miss if India is not on its right side.
Contain Non-proliferation
The US is being downright stupid here. India, has been, and continues to be among the most responsible (non-acknowledged) nuclear powers. We are not the guys going out and selling our nuke wares or technology to whoever comes calling. Please look a little beyond our boundaries…So, if you guys are touting that by having the deal, we can legally procure reactor fuel, you also thereby mean that we are being dishonest right now in our nuke fuel dealings – and that is an unacceptable position. Please concentrate on the bad guys.
India signs up the CTBT...
The US would be keen to see India as a signatory of the CTBT, and the give and take of the deal would ensure this. Pah! The US itself has not signed up and it’s expecting us to go ahead! I hope the South Block guys know what they are doing!
Make the world a greener one!
It’s common knowledge that the developed world shoots up more carbon in the air than the developing world. If the Indo-US nuke is to ensure that, we in India, shoot up less carbon, it is a noble thought but than ought the US not clean up its act at home!
So, what to do we have here? It’s beyond me to comment whether the deal is good or bad for India. It is for our foreign office mandarins to ponder upon…but I hope our political masters are shrewd enough to judge if they are leaving the country stronger and more secure by going into the deal.
If you want to read the previous post, click on the June archive on the right hand pane.
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