Nuclear Deal.. To Agree or Not to :S ?!

NUHey all..

In this post.. im gonna discuss the provisions of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal.. also known as the 1-2-3 Agreement ! Lets see this news update.. from CNN-IBN's website :

BREAKING NEWS!

Singh is King: UPA wins trust vote.

On a tumultuous day for Indian politics, speeches good and bad, drama over cash bribes for votes, the UPA Government won the vote of confidence in Parliament. The Government got 275 votes in favour, 256 against and at least 10 abstentions. The two-day debate also ended amid hostility with Manmohan Singh unable to give his final speech because of noisy protests.

So.. what is this nuke deal ? What has it in store for our country.. and the common man ?

India's future energy situation isn't actually all that bright.. Since burning coal emits a large amount of carbon dioxide.. and we are short on uranium supplies cuz Australia.. where the largest reserves of uranium exist.. recently stopped supplying nuclear fuel to India.. due to various policy issues ! And instead.. Australia and China have signed an agreement.. by which Australia will supply 20,000 metric tonnes of uranium annualy :O !

After 31 years of hibernation as a 'nuclear outcaste' India made a comeback on 18 July 2005, when the US and India agreed on civilian nuclear energy cooperation. The Indo-US nuclear deal is in some ways an attempt by the US to reward New Delhi for its excellent non-proliferation record and to differentiate between India on the one hand and countries like Pakistan, Iran and North Korea on the other. Other nuclear weapon states (NWS) are following suit as India looks to enhance cooperation with France and Russia and non-NWS like Canada on the nuclear energy front. This is a clear indication of the fact that India's credible nuclear non-proliferation record is not only appreciated but rewarded as well. There is, however, a dire need for India to work together with Australia on the nuclear front as Australia commands 40 per cent of the world's total uranium resources. Nuclear cooperation with Australia would certainly help India meet its energy requirements as its economy grows.

And now.. what are pros and cons of this deal ?

WHAT IS THE PACT?

* The legislation amends Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. It lets the US make a one-time exception for India to keep its nuclear weapons without signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

* The amendment overturns a 30-year-old US ban on supplying India with nuclear fuel and technology, implemented after India's first nuclear test in 1974.

* Under the amendment, India must separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities, and submit civilian facilities to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

WHY IS IT CONTROVERSIAL?

* Critics say it undermines the NPT, which holds that only countries which renounce nuclear weapons qualify for civilian nuclear assistance.

* The accord sends the wrong message: it could undercut a US-led campaign to curtail Iran's nuclear program, and open the way for a potential arms race in South Asia.

* India says 14 of its 22 nuclear facilities are civilian. Critics say the pact could make bomb making at the other eight easier, as civilian nuclear fuel needs will be met by the US

WHAT DO THE DEAL'S SUPPORTERS SAY?

* US President George Bush calls the deal necessary to reflect the countries' improved relations. It strengthens international security by tightening US ties to ally India, the world's biggest democracy. It also ensures some of its nuclear industry will undergo international inspection.

* New Delhi, which relies on imported oil for some 70 per cent of its energy needs, says nuclear power will help feed its rapidly expanding economy.

* France, which signed a similar deal with India in February 2006, says the move will help fight climate change and aid non-proliferation efforts.

HOW IS PAKISTAN INVOLVED?

* Pakistan sought a similar civilian technology deal with the US but was refused last in March. It is the only other confirmed nuclear power not to have signed the NPT - saying it will join after India does.

* Pakistan's own expanding nuclear program could fan the rivalry between India and Pakistan.

INTERNATIONAL RIVALRIES?

* China is said to have supported Pakistan's nuclear weapons program since the 1980s. Some analysts see the Indo-US deal as part of attempts by larger powers, the US and China, to shore up influence in South Asia by building up rival arsenals.

* The IAEA said in 2004 that Libya and Iran's nuclear programs were based on Chinese technology provided by Pakistan.

And this is one another.. important piece of info concerning the nuke deal !

India is spearheading the research of thorium as s fuel in nuclear reactors.. and this research would have taken a decade to complete.. if the other thorium research countries like France, Canada, USA had not intervened in ! If the thorium research was completed by India.. we will have no energy crises for the next 300 or 350 years.. since 30% of the thorium on earth is present in Indian reserves. The other countries mentioned.. of course did not favour India's progress and hence.. and so an amendment was put forward in the Indo-US nuke deal ! According to the deal.. India would have STOP ITS RESEARCH in thorium.. and expose its nuclear reactors to inspection by the IAEA (International Atomic Engery Agency) !

If this deal doesn pass through.. the NSG (Nuclear Supplies Group) will stop supplying uranium to India :| ! And if the deal passes.. India will recieve uranium from France.. thereby enriching their deprived economy :| !

And yea.. ther is also a commercial aspect of this deal ! If India goes thru this agreement.. it will build quite a numbr of nuclear reactors in the next 12 years ! but the sad part here is.. India doesn hav the technology nd infrastructure to build these ! and we have to rely on no one else.. but the almighty USA.. B) ! The total cost for biulding these nuclear reactors for the next 12 yearz.. amounts to an enormous 7 lakh crore :O ! And 40% of this business wil go to the USA.. and the rest will be shard by Australia, Canada and France ! India.. is now a common source for the enrichement and empowerement of Western economy :| !

All the hush-hush about nuclear power started way back in 1974, when an indigenously made nuclear device called the "Smiling Buddha" (lolz ?!) was detonated in Pokhran on May 18, 1974 ! Though India labelled the Smiling Buddha as a "Peaceful Nuclear Explosive".. ther wer international opposition for this nuclear test.. and sanctions wer placed againt India, some of these not yet removed ! And along with the nuclear deal.. India has to sign a "Test Ban Treaty".. if it wants a supply of uranium from Australia ! These conditions show the nature of the western countries.. who want no one else's progress except theirs :| !

Do we have to agree to this.. ? But yea.. if the bully says something (i mean USA) can we not agree ?

Please giv this post some thought.. and leave ur comments and corrections :D !

Adios..
Rahul !