Indo Us Nuke Deal

Indo Us Nuke Deal

The Indian-left so far has made one salient issue against this deal. CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said the US law was unacceptable as it sought to make India’s foreign policy congruent with the US’s on Iran.

It looks like both left and BJP have done their homework and their issues have a lot of weight. PM Manmohan Singh realizes that the deal is important for US-India relationship so he is going full steam ahead in accepting this deal.

The factor that is little known in this whole affair is the role of pro-US lobby in the India. Big groups like NASCOM have a lot of cash, and they want to push India towards US at every cost. They know that all the BPO and other tech contracts are dependent on the good will of US. They are also hoping that closer US ties will also help in receiving more funds with possible outsourcing of nuclear industry and research. These scenarios can certainly help increase the income of Indian companies.

There are certain dangers for both countries in this deal. US will surely use its clout to have greater access to the Indian nuclear program that has so far been hidden from US agencies like CIA. In fact the 1999 nuclear detonations by India came as a surprise for the US intelligence community. US learned a lesson and this deal will be used to monitor Indian activities from up close and from within. US will also push India away from organizations like NAM, and punish India if it ever goes against US dictates regarding Iran or China.

US needs to be mindful of the “independent” streak among Indian intellectuals. That streak can lead to the unintended use of this technology. Case in point is the nuclear cooperation between Nehru and Eisenhower that ultimately helped Indian nuclear weapons program.

Indian policy makers on the other hand must pay heed to the BJP and other nationalists. US policies are exact opposite from the ones held dear by British or later the Soviets. There is no permanent friend or a permanent...

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