On Indo-US nuclear deal

[These questions were asked to me by an NGO about Indo-US nuclear deal –GAK]

1. Why China is opposing Indo - US 123 nuclear deal?

Energy security acts as a catalyst to all-round development. China does not want India to become regional superpower.

2. Left and BJP are opposing the deal. What are the main differences between their opposition? (OR what are the different positions in India on 123 aggreement? which line is most advantageous to India?)

Indian Left cannot think beyond China. They serve Chinese interests.

But what about BJP? The seeds of Indo-US strategic-cooperation were sowed during Vajpayee's premiership. Now, confused BJP is not making correct assessments. It wants to score political points.

3. How could the differences between Congress, Left and BJP could be bridged regarding 123 aggreement?

This is an impossible task.

4. If we scrap the deal, how should we deal with China, Pakistan and US?

Current isolation of India will continue.

5. If we go ahead with the 123 aggreement - how should we approach the problem of engaging US?

123 agreement has a limited scope. It has many safety valves. Engaging US is important. It should not be altered with 123 agreement in force. Nuclear testing involves many risks even without the deal. For its own interests india has to take such risks, as it had done in 1998. Even with the deal, India can go-ahead with its decision of testing nuclear device regardless of the international ramifications. So, with or without the deal the situation remains same. Why anybody should lose assured fuel-supply?

There are questions about Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's mishandling of the issue. His secrecy, and the speed he maintained in sealing the deal raised many questions. His penchant for US is also well known.

I'm not aware of any secret clauses of the agreement. In a limited scope, the deal should be of help. But this should not be coupled with broader strategic issues. Those issues should be addressed seperately by India and the United States.

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