What the citizens of India should really know
The Nuclear DEAL?
1. The Indo US Cooperation on the Civilian Nuclear Program and the Agreement is now being called a 'deal', which, in common 'parlance' is not considered a polite word and our Prime Minister is being targeted as if he has made some underhand ‘deal’ with the US; some political parties including ones supporting the Government are doubting the integrity of the PM; it is a matter of National shame.
2. With his team from the MEA and DAE the PM has spent so much time and effort to bring the agreement to this stage / shape.
3. The opposition is talking of the Hyde Act, that if India carries out a Nuclear Test in future, all cooperation will stop. We do not even know if at all and when, in the distant future, a test/s will be required by the nation / scientists. Circumstances may be different and may be favourable, political alignment may be different; as of now we are in a self imposed moratorium, and correctly so.
4. The whole agreement is on the civilian nuclear program; our weapon's program will continue as it always has been, with our own reactors, reprocessing plants, enrichment plants and heavy water plants. We are not going to be giving the design and technology to any one; why, then are we pointing out that the US will not give these technologies as part of the civilian agreement?
5. About past tests and our strengths - we have been isolated with sanctions since 1974. The DAE scientists, engineers and technologists took up the challenge and after more than thirty years’ efforts have brought the nation to this stage of strength and pride that all other developed nations, not only the US but also other developed nations including the Russian Federation and the so called Eastern Block, have extended a hand for us to join them and we, after working and negotiating so hard, do not want to shake hands!
6. Are we conveying our arrogance? No...