US-India Nuclear Deal Welcomed in India

The recent nuclear energy accord signed bybeen seen as a power that has remained defiant
President Bush and Indian Prime Ministerand outside of the fold, and very negative
Manmohan Singh in Washington has been warmlyconnotations have been assigned to India in the
welcomed in India. Not only is the deal seen aspast... My sense is that there would be a shift in
enabling India to meet its growing energy needs,the perception about India," he said.
but also as a major political achievement.In his address to Congress, Indian Prime Minister
The Bush administration's decision to resume salesManmohan Singh emphasized that India intends to
of civilian nuclear technology to India - if approvedstringently uphold non-proliferation rules.
by Congress - will allow India to buy nuclear fuel"India is fully conscious of the immense
and reactor components to expand its nuclearresponsibilities that come with the possession of
energy program.advanced technologies, both civilian and strategic,"
For more than 30 years, India has been barredMr. Singh said.
from access to international civilian nuclearThe agreement is also seen as a major step
technology because it has not signed the nucleartowards cementing U.S.-India ties. The two
non-proliferation treaty, and has conducted nuclearcountries have moved closer in recent years, but
weapons tests. As a result, less than threeWashington's ban on the sale of nuclear
percent of India's energy needs are met bytechnology to India has remained a source of
nuclear power.irritation in New Delhi.
Energy analyst Rajendra Srivastav says IndiaMr. Bhaskar says the agreement could recast
desperately needs new energy sources to fuelIndia-U.S. relations. "The main sticking point
one of the world's fastest growing economies.between India and the United States was the
"International supplies were not made available somanner in which both sides perceived the nuclear
it could not go in for large capacity nuclear powerissue. I would interpret the July 18 statement as a
stations through import like other countries couldvery innovative way of squaring the circle,
do. Therefore the component of nuclear powerwhereby the United States is able to maintain the
has remained low. Now that the doors are open, itsanctity of the various protocols it has created
is possible for this country to increase theover the last 30-35 years, and simultaneously
capacity addition at a rapid pace," he said.recognize the de-facto reality of India as a very
But for political observers, the nuclear deal'sdistinctive nuclear power ... and the need to
significance lies in redefining India's image in theaccommodate India," he said.
global community, which has long disapproved ofIn return for access to civilian nuclear technology,
New Delhi's nuclear activities.India has agreed to separate its military and civilian
The Director of the Institute of Defense Studiesnuclear programs, place its civilian reactors under
and Analysis in New Delhi, Uday Bhaskar, says theinternational safeguards and continue a
deal recognizes India as a responsible nuclearmoratorium on nuclear testing.
power, entitled to the benefits accorded to thoseThe deal has invited some criticism at home,
who have signed the nuclear non-proliferationmainly from the main opposition Bharatiya Janata
treaty.Party, which says India has agreed to too many
He says the agreement represents a dramaticnuclear controls in return for the technology.
turnaround from 1998, when India's nuclear testsBut most foreign policy and energy experts say
earned widespread international condemnation.the accord has surpassed their expectations - and
"Untill now the sense was India is outside theare hoping it is not blocked by Congress.
system. It has been seen as a challenger; it has