India makes it to the Elite Club

India could not have been kept out of the elite club any longer. Well, there is no better illustration of India's impeccable stature at the world stage... Today the NSG has given a go ahead to the India-Centric wavier of Nuclear fuel supplies. Surely an historic day for India. The magnitude of this gesture/decision is very significant as far as India is concerned. When the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) approved a US plan to engage in nuclear trade with India, it means that India is no more isolated from the Elite club of nuclear nations to exchange nuclear technology/fuel for civilian purposes. More than that i feel the world recognises India, values and trusts its commitment to the non proliferation of nuclear technology/weapons. I use the words recognises, values and trusts because, India has shown great maturity in its nuclear program that it was just a matter of time that the world rewarded India and backed the Indo-US nuclear deal. Mind you, this recognition comes without india signing NPT or even the CTBT. In other words India's commitment and its moratorium on conducting further nuclear tests and its non-proliferation is seen almost as being on par with NPT agreement. This is stupendious victory for India, and history has always shown that India is unique and special, and cannot be seen like any other nation around the world. India is indeed incredible, thats the voice that seems to be buzzing at the NSG meet. With the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation being approved and given a go ahead, India has finally come out of the 34-year old nuclear apartheid. India was barred from holding any nuclear trade with any of the NSG member nations after the May 1998 Pokhran tests by India. With the help of US proposal to NSG, this fencing has been demolished so that it clears/paves the way for India to have bilateral nuclear commerce with any of the NSG member nations.

As pointed out on my previos blog, the three vital points of Indo-US nuclear deal seeing light were-

1] Get the US congress to change laws which will permit America to extend civilian nuclear help to India,

2] Get the Nuclear Suppliers Group to accept the deal and be open to nuclear cooperation with India and

3] Have IAEA to prepare India-specific safeguards, which indicates that the nuclear rules and regulations which apply to NPT countries will not be the same for India.

India and US have successfully crossed the first two hurdles. The thrid one is all procedural now for both the nations to start the nuclear co operation.

Well done India!!!!!

India and US have emerged from the all the hurdles and hassles, in getting the nod for this deal, which is indeed historic and very important for the energy security of India and or the Indo-US relations.

No-Deal?

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday indicated that the Government is willing to put the Indo-US nuclear deal on the backburner. "The end of the nuclear deal will not mean the end of the Government. We are not a one-issue Government. The deal not coming through is not the end of life, " Singh said.

And today on his way to the Nigerian captial, the PM did not speak to the media. The sources said that the UPA government, in the aftermath of the October 9 meeting with the Left parties, will convey to the US that it will not be approaching the IAEA for a safeguards agreement.

This is indeed disappointing, and i feel like we have taken a back step in the growth of our Nation. The energy needs for India in the next decade is immense and this deal with the US and NSG would have helped us meet atleast most of the requirements, if not all. Now we have lost the N-deal with the US and also the Iran-India pipeline. Where is India heading to?? The balancing act has to end somewhere. As a common man we are to blame for all this as well, instead of giving a complete majority we voted in bits and pieces to various political parties. Hope we learn and contribute so that our leadership (Hindustan Times Leadership Summit) can take it foward for us, without any strings attached. The people who lead the country must be given a free hand, i feel the Congress leadership knows what its doing, atleast with respect to this Nuclear deal. Im not a politician, nor would like to discuss polictics here, but i ceratinly feel for the N-deal not going thru.. for the moment that is. Its a pity that the world recognises and regard India very High on the world stage, yet the political parties within are making an all out effort in hindering this growth.

Some of the headlines look like this -

N-deal is not on, govt will tell US soon - Times of India

Failure of N-deal won’t be end of life: PM - India Express

Don't let radical view hijack N-deal, US lawmaker to India - Rediff.com

Australia puts uranium deal with India on back burner - Rediff.com

Time is of Essence

Indo-US Nuclear Deal

The operationalisation of the nuclear deal is getting into the crucial stage as both US and India work non-stop to make it a reality. While US is taking things up with the 45-nation NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) to get the necessary changes in the guidelines allowing the supplies to India as per the 123 agreement. India on the other hand has its Atomic Energy Commission chief and India's top nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar at the 51st General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, working to get an India-specific safeguard pact with IAEA which is required to proceed on the N-deal signed by India and US. The concern and the eagerness by the US adminstration to see it through (both at NSG and IAEA) was clearly on display when the US Ambassador David Mulford, addressing the fourth Indo-US Economic Summit said "Now, we must take the last steps. Time is of essence".

"Burn"ing down nuclear issues

A CNN-IBN report

Indo-US nucelar deal

A lot of water has flown down the river Ganges since the Nuclear Deal was signed between the two biggest democracies of the world. It has not been a cake walk for either of them since then. Keeping track of the drama unfolding bt Washington and New Delhi, i feel, all outstanding issues/concerns needs a lot of bilateral sittings to sort. Read thru some latest news on this. N-deal hits roadblock, India worried.

Bush signs the Indo-US nuclear deal

Excerpt from NDTV.

The halls of the White House, decked with boughs of holly, rang through with the sounds of celebration as President George W Bush signed the Indo-US nuke deal. The passage of the crucial deal in the US Congress comes just before the Christmas holidays. "Today, I have the honour of signing a bill that will strengthen the partnership between the world's two largest democracies. The relationship between the United States and India has never been more vital. And this bill will help us meet the energy and security challenges of the 21st century," said Bush.

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India @ crossroads with the world

India shud not accept any changes in the Indo-Us Nuclear deal. Crazy or what…? Its a gimmick that the US is playing... twisting India’s arm on the nuclear deal saying get some changes in the deal and get this bill completed this year, else processing will start all over again by the newly elected Congress. Read this… US advocates want the changes in the Nuclear deal.. I say.. what was Bush & Co. doing when they had come down to India to sign the historic deal?????? India should say… “No changes" or "Hell with it!!!”

You will see this happng..... USA is bound to play with India in its bid for UNSC membership.

Indo-US Historic nuclear deal signed

The ice between the oldest democracy and the largest democracy has been broken. India and the US have reached an understanding on the implementation of the civil nuclear cooperation agreed upon last year. This was announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday after talks with visiting US President George W Bush. Addressing a joint press conference with the US President after their talks, Singh said the finalisation of identification of civilian facilities will begin. "Discussions will be held with the IAEA on the guidelines for bringing the civilian nuclear reactors under its safeguards," he said.

Now it's up to the United States to achieve three things:

1] Get the US congress to change laws which will permit America to extend civilian nuclear help to India,

2] Get the Nuclear Suppliers Group to accept the deal and be open to nuclear cooperation with India and

3] Have IAEA to prepare India-specific safeguards, which indicates that the nuclear rules and regulations which apply to NPT countries will not be the same for India.