The India-US Nuclear Accord Saga

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Articles posted here for future reference.

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Mid-terms fallout on nuclear deal

By Seema Sirohi


Prospects for the Indo-US nuclear deal hang in the balance after the Democrats' success in the US mid-terms.

George Bush has said the deal is a personal priority

Despite the US president's assurances that the historic agreement is his top priority, officials in both Washington and Delhi are now worried.

George W Bush referred to "trying to get the India deal done" in his speech reacting to the Republican loss.

But the Indo-US nuclear deal, which aims to feed India's soaring energy needs, awaits a Senate vote.

It has already cleared by the House of Representatives by a big margin (369 to 68).

Bipartisan support

Both the Bush administration and Indian government officials are hoping that a short, lame duck session of the outgoing Congress will take it up later this month.

Many rank and file democrats do not feel like handing Mr Bush a foreign policy victory, especially because they feel they were not consulted while the deal was cooking



Cautious media reaction
US House back deal


Time is of the essence. The week-long session begins on the 13 November with a crowded agenda and competing priorities.

US Ambassador to India, David Mulford, told reporters that the chances were "quite favourable" and emphasised the bipartisan nature of the support in Washington.

It is true that senior Democratic senators such as Joseph Biden and Harry Reid have recently reiterated their support for the Indo-US agreement, and told their Indian-American supporters they will do their best to push it.

Ramesh Kapur, an Indian-American close to the Democratic leadership, has said he was "very confident it will get done."

But according to one Washington insider, the rank and file Democrats are equally important.

Many of them do not feel like handing Mr Bush a foreign policy victory, especially because they feel they were not consulted while the deal was cooking.

If the Senate fails to pass the bill in the short session, the agreement will go back to the drawing board when the new Congress reconvenes, opening the deal to new questions and further delays.

"I am not sure there is enough time in the lame duck session to finish the complicated process of getting it through the Senate, reconciling the House and Senate versions and then back to both houses for a vote," said Walter Andersen, associate director of the South Asia programme at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

Diaspora push

But he noted Mr Bush's comments, saying it was a signal from the Republican president that if the deal does not get through the Senate, the blame will lie at the feet of the Democrats.


Mr Bush has said the nuclear deal with India is a personal priority

"One must not forget that the 2008 presidential election started today and both parties want Indian-American money and votes," Mr Andersen elaborated.

Indeed, the role of the influential Indian-American community in pushing the nuclear deal has been crucial.

Swadesh Chatterjee, an Indian-American from North Carolina who heads a coalition of prominent community members, said he was "hopeful that the bill would be taken up before the year is over".

Friendship with India is a priority for both Democrats and Republicans as they face the challenge of a rising Asia.

Both parties recognize the importance the Indian government attaches to the nuclear agreement and failure to approve it would adversely affect Indo-US relations.

Michael Krepon, president emeritus of the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think-tank, agreed that "opposing the deal is politically unpopular in Congress."

But he adds that the new reality in the Congress however makes the process "more complex."

Path-breaking

Democrats take a more stringent approach to non-proliferation and some of them have criticized the deal for rewarding India with nuclear technology while not extracting tangible gains in return for the US.

The path-breaking agreement will allow India access to nuclear technology it has been denied for three decades because it refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, calling it discriminatory.

India has also conducted nuclear tests, and has a well-developed nuclear weapons programme.

Krepon and several other non-proliferation experts have criticized the agreement for undermining the international non-proliferation regime, saying Washington cannot tell Iran and North Korea not to pursue weapons programmes while awarding India for the same.

But Indian and Bush administration officials argue that India is different because it has a clean record and has never proliferated nuclear technology, despite its proven expertise.

Some Democratic non-proliferation hardliners may try to attach new conditions to the agreement, such as stricter monitoring of nuclear technology the US sells to India.

The question of who gains commercially once the deal is approved is also crucial, analysts point out.

The Democrats may ask for assurances that US companies will get a big share of the Indian business as Delhi moves to construct new nuclear reactors.

Critics of the deal have been telling Congressmen and Senators that France and Russia are likely to get more contracts after the Americans have done the hard work of making it legally possible to sell nuclear technology to India.

Date: Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006
Summary: Bush administration and govt. of India are in talks to provide India with raw and technological means for developing nuclear energy, but the deal may be hindered by the U.S. midterm elections which put a slim Democratic majority in both the House and the Senate.

Has already cleared the house.

 

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Doubts over US-India nuclear deal

India has pledged to open civilian nuclear sites to inspection
India says no dates have been fixed with the US for the final talks on a historic nuclear power deal.
Top US diplomat Nicholas Burns was due to travel to India in the second half of May to conclude the deal.

The US said talks earlier this month made "extensive progress", but some reports suggest the deal is in trouble.

The deal would let energy-hungry India import US civilian nuclear fuel, even though it has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The talks have been slowed by differences over India's right to test weapons and reprocess spent fuel.

Critics of the deal say it could boost India's nuclear arsenal. They say it sends the wrong message to countries like Iran, whose nuclear ambitions Washington opposes.

The two countries also have serious differences over India's close relations with Iran.

India has insisted that the final agreement must not bind it to supporting US policy on Iran or prevent it from developing fissile material.

No prediction

India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna was asked on Thursday when the US's Undersecretary of State, Nicholas Burns, would next visit Delhi.


The US sees India as a powerful democratic ally in the region
"No particular date has yet been finalised," he replied.

"We are in the process of exchanging suggestions and examining them. We will let you know when a visit is scheduled."

US officials deny that Mr Burns has cancelled his trip, because no date for it has yet been arranged.

A State Department spokesman told Reuters news agency that Mr Burns would go to Delhi "when we are ready to seal the deal".

He added, "We're not at that point yet. Nobody I've talked to offered a prediction as to when that would be."

The nuclear fuel deal was struck in July 2005 but some issues have remained stumbling blocks, despite President George Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appearing to have overcome the obstacles in March, 2006.


The US sees India as a powerful democratic ally in the region

India and the US were once on opposite sides of the Cold War fence, but are now close allies.

But India's government has faced criticism at home that the deal will compromise its nuclear independence.

One crucial sticking point is over a clause saying the US would withdraw fuel and equipment if India breached its unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests.

India's military says a future nuclear test by Pakistan or China could compel it to follow suit.

Another key area of difference is over reprocessing. India wants complete freedom to process all of its spent fuel, while the US argues that material it provides must not be used for military purposes.

Under the agreement, India will get access to US civil nuclear technology and fuel, in return for opening its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection.

But its nuclear weapons sites will remain off-limits.

Date: Friday, May 18, 2007

Summary: India is concerned that the deal will tie India to U.S. policy towards certain countries (Iran specifically.)

Deal initially struck in July 2005

 

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Indian cabinet backs nuclear deal

Energy hungry India needs nuclear power
The Indian government says that it has reached agreement with the United States on implementing a controversial civilian nuclear co-operation accord.
Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said all of India's concerns had been met following talks between the two sides.

He spoke after the cabinet had approved technical aspects of the deal, which gives India access to US technology.

The agreement was reached in principle two years ago but has been mired in negotiations over the details.

Nuclear tests

The final agreement must still clear several hurdles before it takes effect.

Correspondents say India's government must also persuade its left-wing allies to back the deal, although formal approval by parliament is not required.

The communists - who are not in the cabinet but support the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - have been bitterly critical, as have India's opposition parties.

NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA
India has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under construction
Nuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricity
By 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricity
India has limited coal and uranium reserves
Its huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel its nuclear power programme long-term
Source: Uranium Information Center


Global nuclear powers

Under the deal, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology if it opens its facilities to inspection.

Critics say the accord will encourage India to develop its nuclear arsenal.

They also say it sends the wrong message to countries like Iran, whose nuclear ambitions Washington opposes.

But supporters of the accord say it will help India meet its soaring energy demands by reversing three decades of US sanctions imposed after nuclear tests carried out by India in 1974 and 1998.

Negotiations over the fine print of the deal have been going on in Washington and Delhi for months.


COUNTDOWN TO AGREEMENT
July 2005: India and the US announce the deal
March 2006: Deal 'finalised' in Delhi during visit of US President George W Bush
July 2006: US House of Representatives approves deal
November 2006: US Senate votes in favour of deal
July 2007: Indian cabinet approves the deal


Correspondents say the final details were hammered out last week in Washington in negotiations attended by the Indian national security adviser, MK Narayanan, and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon.

The implementation agreement, or "123 agreement", is designed to include all operational aspects of the deal, which its supporters say will galvanise strategic ties between the world's two biggest democracies.

Delays in finally agreeing the deal have been attributed to concern in India over the possibility of Washington suspending co-operation and demanding the return of atomic fuel if Delhi tests nuclear weapons in future.

Before it takes effect, the finalised deal must be approved by the US Congress, while India needs clearance from the Nuclear Suppliers Group of countries.

Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Summary: Indian cabinet has approved of the deal. Communist and opposition parties are critical of the deal; as is the U.S. democratic party.

COUNTDOWN TO AGREEMENT
July 2005: India and the US announce the deal
March 2006: Deal 'finalised' in Delhi during visit of US President George W Bush
July 2006: US House of Representatives approves deal
November 2006: US Senate votes in favour of deal
July 2007: Indian cabinet approves the deal

 

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India PM stresses nuclear gains

Mr Singh has faced stiff resistance from Communists to a nuclear deal
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has said that the country cannot be left behind on developments in nuclear energy.
Mr Singh's comments came a day after the government and its Communist allies decided to form a committee to study the controversial nuclear deal with US.

The communists say the deal, under which India gets access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel, gives the US leverage on India's foreign policy.

Mr Singh has refused to back down and said the deal was vital for India.

Speaking at an event to commission two new nuclear reactors in western India, Mr Singh said energy security was essential to sustain India's economic growth.

"There is today talk the world over of a nuclear renaissance and we cannot afford to miss the bus or lag behind those global developments," he said.

"India is now too important a country to remain outside the international mainstream in this critical area. We need to pave the way for India to benefit from nuclear commerce without restrictions."

Under the landmark nuclear deal with the US , India is allowed to reprocess spent nuclear fuel - something that is seen as a major concession and opposed by some members of the US Congress as India has not signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

Date: Friday, August 31, 2007

 

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Hurdles ahead for landmark nuclear deal
By Jonathan Marcus
BBC Diplomatic correspondent



The US sees India as a powerful democratic ally in the region
The nuclear deal with India enshrines a shift in US policy with far-reaching implications.

It underscores the special relationship between Delhi and Washington. And it sends powerful - and in many ways contradictory - signals about the Bush administration's attitude towards the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

As far as the Bush administration is concerned, this is a win-win deal.

A friendly, democratic and powerful regional ally, India gains access to civil nuclear technology to help power its industrial growth.

At the same time India will effectively have to segregate its nuclear facilities into two programmes - one civil and the other military, with the former coming under additional international safeguards.

Hurdles

Not so long ago, of course, India was one of the nuclear bad-guys.

It's a necessary agreement - it's one that will help both our peoples

George W Bush


US nurtures S Asia ties
Tour diary: Afghan detour
In pictures: Bush in India

It has steadfastly refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and it has developed its own nuclear bomb.

The US applied sanctions against India and a battery of US legislation put India into a kind of nuclear isolation.

Hurdle one for the Bush administration is to get Congress to unpick this legislation.

Attitudes on Capitol Hill are mixed. There is a good deal of unease about the agreement on non-proliferation grounds, a fear that India is being rewarded despite its nuclear weapons programme and a belief that Washington could have struck a tougher bargain.

There are concerns, for example, that India will still be able to produce more fissile material for its bomb-making programme and thus will be able to expand its nuclear arsenal.

Nonetheless, there is also a strong tide of pro-Indian sentiment among US legislators.

Hurdle two is to persuade the 44-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group - who co-ordinate sales of nuclear technology - of the merits of the deal, where again, opinion is divided.

'Useful benchmark'

Here the US has already had some preliminary talks.

Some countries back the US and India. Britain, Russia and France (Paris, too, is eager to sell India nuclear technology) have all, in terms of initial positions, been positive.

Many fear that Washington is again signalling that international rules set standards that can be conveniently ignored in some cases


Ireland, Japan and the Netherlands have been far from enthusiastic.


Agreement at the group is not necessarily essential.

But its consensus view on nuclear transfers provides a useful international benchmark.

Regional implications

Since so much of non-proliferation policy depends upon creating as broad a diplomatic coalition as possible, it would be unwise of the US to break this tradition of consensus.

The deal could have significant regional implications, especially if India continues to develop the military side of its nuclear programme.

China's only comment so far has been a rather restrained call for any US-India co-operation to be in line with the rules of the global non-proliferation regime.

Though there are some strategic experts in Beijing who are carefully watching the burgeoning US-India relationship for any sign that India is being turned into a regional bulwark against China.

It is in the arms control community - especially among US experts - that the deal has caused most concern.

Many fear that Washington is again signalling that international rules - like the NPT - set standards that can be conveniently ignored in some cases, while the Bush administration vigorously tries to apply them in others.

Date: March 2, 2006

 

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Atomic agency hails US-India deal



Watch the speeches
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has welcomed a nuclear agreement between the US and India.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief (IAEA) Mohammed ElBaradei said it would boost non-proliferation efforts.

The UK and France also hailed the deal. But it was criticised by some members of the US Congress, who said it would lead to the spread of nuclear weapons.

Under the accord, India gets access to US civil nuclear technology and opens its nuclear facilities to inspection.

It's a necessary agreement. It's one that will help both our peoples

George W Bush


US nurtures S Asia ties
Tour diary: 'Over the top'
In pictures: Bush in India

US President George W Bush - who finalised the agreement with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi - called it "historic".

However, Mr Bush admitted it might be hard to get it through the US Congress, which must ratify it.

The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says Mr Bush has a fight on his hands, after being accused of sending out the wrong signal just as America and its allies try to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions.

'Milestone'

India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The president has blown a hole in the nuclear rules the whole world has been playing by

Ed Markey, Democrat lawmaker
Under the agreement, India will classify 14 of its 22 nuclear facilities as being for civilian use, and thus open to inspection.

Many supporters of the NPT believe the deal ignores India's nuclear weapons programme.

Mr ElBaradei said the US-Indian deal would end Delhi's nuclear isolation and spur non-proliferation efforts.

"It would be a milestone, timely for ongoing efforts to consolidate the non-proliferation regime, combat nuclear terrorism and strengthen nuclear safety," he said.

HAVE YOUR SAY
With the India-US accord, the West has created a long-term ally and friend in the East

Arun Khanna, Indianapolis, United States


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US-India 'seismic shift'
Mr ElBaradei also said the agreement was "an important step towards satisfying India's growing need for energy".

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the accord could "make a significant contribution to energy security... as well as representing a net gain for the non-proliferation regime".

French President Jacques Chirac, who signed a similar deal with India last month, said the agreement would help fight climate change and non-proliferation efforts.

'Historic failure'

However there was a mixed reaction in Washington.

Some congressmen cautiously welcomed the agreement, despite the lack of details.

NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA
India has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under construction
Nuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricity
By 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricity
India has limited coal and uranium reserves
Its huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel its nuclear power programme long-term
Source: Uranium Information Center


Global nuclear powers

Ed Royce, Republican chairman of the House subcommittee on terrorism non-proliferation, said there was enthusiastic support for improving ties with India.

However, he added that the deal had wider implications that Congress would have to consider carefully.

Ed Markey, senior House Democrat, said the agreement was a "historic nuclear failure" that compromised American security.

"The president has blown a hole in the nuclear rules the whole world has been playing by," Mr Markey said.

Pakistan - India's regional rival - said it would be pressing the US to give Islamabad the same kind of civilian nuclear co-operation.

"We also have a claim... especially because Pakistan is a fossil fuel-deficit country," Pakistani foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told the BBC.

However, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told India's Zee News that "this is not the time for such an arrangement with Pakistan".

"There have been concerns in terms of proliferation with Pakistan," she said in an apparent reference to a row over Pakistan's top nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who admitted to leaking secrets to North Korea, Libya and Iran.

Date: March 2, 2006

 

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Bush hails partnership with India

President Bush praised India's democratic record
US President George W Bush has described India and America as "global leaders", in an address outlining his vision of a new strategic partnership.
Mr Bush's speech, at a medieval fort in the capital, Delhi, was televised live across India.

It followed the finalising on Thursday of a controversial deal on nuclear co-operation between the US and India.

"Our agreement will strengthen the security and the economy of both our nations," the US president said.

Mr Bush has now left India and is in Pakistan for talks with President Pervez Musharraf.

Charm offensive

The co-operation agreement, which is still to be ratified by the US Congress, gives India access to US technology, although it has not signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

It reverses US policy, which had restricted nuclear co-operation since India first tested a nuclear weapon in 1974.

Both our nations were created on the foundation that all people are equal

President George W Bush

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says the president's speech was an attempt to reach out to the sceptics and to woo ordinary Indians.

His visit to India was marked by a series of protests, mainly by Muslims and left-wing groups, with much of the discontent focused on the American-led invasion of Iraq.

Many on the left in India are also opposed to India's closer ties with Washington.


As Mr Bush was speaking, news emerged of violence in the northern Indian city of Lucknow after a protest against the US president's visit spun out of control.

Four people were killed in clashes between Hindus and Muslims which erupted after the protest.

'Closer than ever'

Greeting his audience in Delhi, Mr Bush said he came to India as a pilgrim, "as a friend".

"Separated by half the globe, the United States and India are closer than ever before," he said.

He emphasised the shared values between the two countries.

HAVE YOUR SAY
With the India-US accord, the West has created a long-term ally and friend in the East

Arun Khanna, Indianapolis, United States


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In pictures: Pumpkins and buffalo

"Both our nations were created on the foundation that all people are equal."

He paid tributes to Indian Americans, including Kalpana Chawla, the Indian-born American astronaut who died in the US space shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.

The US and India were working to "to expand the circle of prosperity and develop the world", the president said.

"The freedom that sustains India's democracy is bringing wide changes to India's economy.

"All that separates a business in Bangalore from a business in Boston is an e-mail, a text message, a video conference."

Pakistan talks

Mr Bush hailed India's record as a democracy and described it as an example for the rest of the world.

"Only one force is powerful enough to replace hate with hope and that is the power of freedom," he said.

"Free societies are peaceful societies."

Mr Bush's next stop is Pakistan where he will talk to Gen Musharraf about Islamabad's "vital co-operation in the war on terror".

He said a prosperous, stable Pakistan was of importance to both the United States and India.

"India is better off because America has a close relationship with Pakistan," he said.

Date: March 3, 2006

 

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US panel backs India nuclear deal

Energy hungry India needs nuclear power
A US Congressional panel has backed a controversial plan to share civilian nuclear technology with India.
The deal offers US nuclear technology to India in exchange for inspectors' access to Indian civilian reactors.

The House of Representatives' International Relations Committee voted 37-5 for the deal, which must still be put to another panel and to Congress.

The agreement was hailed as historic by supporters, although critics say it will damage non-proliferation efforts.

Strategic re-alignment

President George W Bush finalised the agreement during a landmark trip to India in March.

Under the deal, energy-hungry India will get access to US civil nuclear technology and fuel, in return for opening its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection.

But its nuclear weapons sites will remain off-limits.


NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA
India has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under construction
Nuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricity
By 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricity
India has limited coal and uranium reserves
Its huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel its nuclear power programme long-term
Source: Uranium Information Center


Global nuclear powers

The agreement reverses US policy, which has restricted nuclear co-operation since India, which has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), tested a nuclear weapon in 1974.

"This is a historic hearing," said Democrat representative Tom Lantos, a sponsor of the proposed legislation.

He said the importance of the bill could not be overstated and the deal signalled a "sweeping strategic re-alignment" of India's global policies.

Indian analysts lauded the US panel backing the nuclear deal.

"The world has recognised India as a responsible nuclear weapon power. This debate is proof of this," C Rajamohan told the NDTV news channel.

The Indian Express newspaper said the "strong bipartisan support [in the House of Representatives' International Relations Committee] suggests that the political momentum behind this historic but controversial nuclear deal .. may now be unstoppable".

'Knifed'


But critics of the deal say it could boost India's nuclear arsenal and sends the wrong message to countries like Iran, whose nuclear ambitions Washington opposes.

"The NPT has been knifed by an executive action," said Republican representative Jim Leach.

"Anyone who wants to present this as a happy day is making a very serious mistake."


Both governments see the deal as crucial
If the proposed deal is passed by the powerful US Senate Foreign Relations Committee later this week, it will then be voted on by the full House and Senate.

The BBC's Shahzeb Jillani in Washington says opinion is divided in Washington on whether the Bush administration has the bipartisan support it claims it has on the deal.

Last week, US Vice President Dick Cheney said he hoped Congress would move quickly to enact the legislation.

He said the deal was "one of the most important strategic foreign policy initiatives of President Bush's second term".

Critics believe that at a time when the stand-off with North Korea and Iran is deepening, a civilian co-operation deal with a country which has not signed the NPT severely undermines the global nuclear non-proliferation regime

Date: June 28, 2006

 

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Is India-US nuclear accord dead?
By Brajesh Upadhyay
BBC News, Washington



Mr Singh's government could collapse over the deal

The Bush administration has maintained rather a brave face on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's unexpected U-turn over the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying it's still "hopeful".

But Indo-US experts and those closely involved in galvanising support for the agreement here say it could mean a loss of credibility for a country that's positioning itself as an emerging global leader.

Doubts over whether Mr Singh's Congress party can sell the deal to its sceptical left-wing coalition allies have grown in recent weeks.

They are threatening to pull out of the government and force elections unless he ditches the deal.

There are increasing signs that Mr Singh is not prepared to risk that and an early election he might lose.

On Monday, Mr Singh called President Bush to tell him that "certain difficulties have arisen with respect to the operationalisation of the India-US civil nuclear co-operation agreement".

What we have seen is just a hesitation in the process... not a serious end

Jim McDermott,
Democrat congressman

The White House has yet to respond, but state department spokesman Tom Casey said the US would like to see the deal done as soon as possible - "within the context of what each country has to do and has to accomplish".

But he stressed that he wouldn't be telling Indians how to manage their own internal affairs.

'Beyond reach'

In pushing the deal with India, the Bush administration had defied strong resistance from non-proliferation hardliners and the agreement was touted as a symbol for Indo-US relations in the 21st century.


Under the deal, Indian nuclear plants will be open to inspection

India now needs to negotiate a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and win the consensus of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group so that the Bush administration can present the deal to Congress for a final vote before the end of 2007.

But that deadline now seems beyond reach.

"For India to forego this opportunity to end its nuclear isolation would blunt the country's opportunity to build out its nuclear capability to maximum potential," says Ron Somers, president of the US-India Business Council.

He says this opportunity beckons a whole new wave of high technology advancements, which is certain to "accelerate India's growth far into the 21st century - India's century".


Lisa Curtis, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, was recently quoted by a news magazine saying if the deal fell through because of India's domestic politics, it would be a setback for India's goals of increasing its global stature and influence.

"Not only would New Delhi be perceived to have shot itself in the foot, it would be highly unlikely for any future US administration to contemplate major initiatives with India," she said.

I feel now the Indian government's credibility is at stake

Swadesh Chatterjee,
Indo-US Friendship Council

That's one question on everyone's mind. Will a new administration be as supportive of the deal, particularly a Democrat administration?

Democrat Jim McDermott is the chairperson of the India caucus in the House of Representatives. He says the deal is a "work in progress".

"What we have seen is just a hesitation in the process... not a serious end," he says. So if Democrats come to power will it mean picking up from where it was left?

"Administrations are now no longer important because we both have reasons to want each other to succeed," says Congressman McDermott.


'Betrayed'

Professor Anupam Srivastava of Georgia University says it's now or never.

"If a Democrat regime comes into power, the non-proliferation lobby would successfully insert amendments and conditionalities that will be clearly unacceptable to Indian scientists," says Professor Srivastava, who has been closely associated with the agreement since its conception.

He laments that the deal is stuck after so much hard work.

"If you do a referendum in India on this deal it will win, if you do a vote in the parliament it will fall," he says.

These sentiments are echoed by Swadesh Chatterjee of the Indo-US Friendship Council, a group that lobbied hard for the deal. He says he feels "betrayed" by domestic politics in India.

"I personally made 66 trips from North Carolina to Washington for this deal. I feel now the Indian government's credibility is at stake," he says.

Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Summary: Strong opposition from sections of the Indian government, but due to Indian anticipation of unfavorable amendments to the accord, if the Democratic party comes into power India will not agree to it.

 

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India-US nuclear deal 'at risk'

Mr Singh has described the deal with the US as "historic"
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has told US President George W Bush he is having difficulty implementing a controversial nuclear deal with the United States.
Mr Singh had briefed Mr Bush by phone on Monday, a government statement said.

Differences between the Congress-led government and its allies over the deal has led to talk of early elections.

It is the first clear sign India may shelve the deal, which could end its international isolation on the nuclear issue and provide a key energy source.

I'm not going to try and tell the Indians how to manage their own internal processes

State department spokesman Tom Casey


Is Indo-US deal dead?

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says it appears the Indian government does not want to face a snap election.

The Congress party's communist allies say the deal, which would allow India access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel, gives the US leverage on India's foreign policy.

'Difficulties'

After many weeks during which the government insisted it would press ahead with the deal, it now appears to have backtracked in the face of opposition, our correspondent says.


India would be able to use US technology in its nuclear facilities

Mr Singh, on an official visit to Africa, called Mr Bush and discussed the nuclear deal, among other things, according to a government release.

"The prime minister explained to President Bush that certain difficulties have arisen with respect to the operationalisation of the India-US civil nuclear co-operation agreement," the release said.

Mr Singh said last week that the nuclear agreement was "an honourable deal that is good for India and good for the world".

He said, however, that if the deal did not come through, he would be disappointed - but he could live with it.

"One has to live with certain disappointments. We are not a one-issue government. The deal not coming through is not the end of life," he added.

"The government is trying to reconcile the divergent points of view on the issue within the ruling coalition."

'Internal processes'

The deal has also been criticised by many outside India.

Under the landmark nuclear deal, India is allowed to reprocess spent nuclear fuel - something that is seen as a major concession and opposed by some members of the US Congress as India has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

US state department spokesman Tom Casey said his government wanted the deal done as quickly as possible, "but that's within the context of what each country has to do and has to accomplish".

But he added: "I'm not going to try and tell the Indians how to manage their own internal processes."

Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2007

 

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New life for India's nuclear deal

The Left parties have been protesting against the nuclear deal
India's communist parties have approved the government starting crucial talks with a UN watchdog on a controversial civilian nuclear deal with the US.
The move by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's left allies has revived hopes that the deal is not dead.

Earlier, the communists had opposed the deal, threatening to pull out of the governing coalition.

This had led to the belief that Mr Singh may be forced to shelve the deal which he had described as a "landmark".

"The government will proceed with the talks and the outcome will be presented to the committee for its consideration before it finalises its findings," a statement issued by a joint panel of the communist and ruling coalition leaders said.

The two sides met in the Indian capital Delhi on Friday for talks.

Consensus

Those in favour of the deal say it will give India access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel even though it has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

In return, India is expected to open its civilian reactors to inspection.

Left-wing parties fear the accord would give the US too much influence over India's foreign policy.


Under the deal, Indian nuclear plants will be open to inspection

Recent weeks have seen rounds of haggling between Mr Singh's Congress Party and their left allies.

A fortnight ago, Mr Singh told a news conference that the deal was not dead, although it had been delayed.

India remained "committed to see that this process is carried forward", Mr Singh said and added that efforts were on to evolve a consensus.

Left-wing parties had warned that they will withdraw support for Mr Singh's governing coalition if the nuclear deal went ahead.

Supporters of the deal say it would give India much-needed uranium to power its reactors so that they are less reliant on coal.

The US administration is also keen for the deal to be completed before next year's presidential elections.

Date: Friday, November 16, 2007

Summary: The Indian Communist party has begun to support the accord.

 

[Gonad]

Link.

India FM alert over nuclear deal

Mr Mukherjee said talks with IAEA are still on
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee says India may face global isolation if it does not go ahead with a nuclear deal with the US.
The landmark deal has been stalled because of stiff opposition from the ruling government's communist allies.

The communists say the deal would give the US too much influence over India's foreign policy.

They have threatened to end support for PM Manmohan Singh over the issue, which could trigger an early election.

The deal would give India access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel even though it has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

IAEA talks

Mr Mukherjee has said India faced isolation if it backed out of the deal at this stage.

"We do not live in isolation. If we do not fall in line [and sign the nuclear accord], there may be sanctions. We will face problems," Mr Mukherjee was quoted by The Telegraph newspaper as telling a meeting of businessmen.

India has held talks with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, in Vienna on the controversial deal -one of the stages in the approval of the agreement.

India's communist parties have said they retain the right to reject the deal even after the IAEA has sifted through it.

Mr Mukherjee was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying that India and IAEA were yet to find a common ground on the issue and that talks were still on.

He said India could not "depend on coal reserves alone" for its energy needs.

The landmark deal has also been criticised by many outside India.

Under the agreement, India is allowed to reprocess spent nuclear fuel - something that is opposed by some members of the US Congress.

Date: Monday, February 4, 2008