The writer ignores the most significant national security objective that has been abandoned for presumed economic ones. This Government does not think that a credible nuclear deterrent requires testing and an advance on the rather less than credible arsenal Bharat currently possesses. What little we have the Americans want to hamstring by placing their demands in legal terms which will be internationally binding. I can see why Singh with his Governments communist and leftist sympathisors see Bharat as a lapdog are willing to see a lowly role for Bharat to China et al, but those who care for the country should see beyond their blinkers. Containment in economic and military terms are no more clearly written than the strictures demanded on reprocessing. America certainly wants Bharat's nuclear power market but they do not want to see a breeder program to challenge the captive market they wish to establish. The economic, military and political objectives are deeply written in to the American intent in the Hyde Act. Singh may settle for some crumbs but that is not the mood of the nation.
Polite usage of the word 'byproduct' is indicative that a desi mind is at work! The reference 'In that country' does 'khalta' a bit, but then the words turn! His love for India comes through straight, as if true to the LAKSHYA song puts it 'ghooma firaakar'. Since we are still on the cinematic theme why not remember the BOBBY doodle, '....sauda nahin'.
USA has the Hyde Act of 2006.India has PMs assurance to the parliament of August 2006.An act is law while an assurance is,at best, a personal commitment.Herein lies the difference in approach of the two countries.While law has a strict connotation,an assurance can be interpreted in many ways.Let us wait and see.
It is high time,India should also look at alternative source of Power generation,besides Nuclear.At the end of the day, we still are dependent on US or other countries for Uranium.We will have to have a balance outlook of Nuclear vis a vis other source of Power Generation.We have enough rivers where dams can be constructed & small Hydel power project put into action.Our Engg can work out the economics for Hydel Projects.Besides, we should look for Wind mills in mass scale, in the region where these are feasible.Solar is another source, which can bring power to many small villages throughout the country. This Nuclear deal with US, should be looked in totality, considering our minimum dependence on other countries for fuel resources,as well as not losing our own rights of developing our resources & technology. Our Scientist should be supported technologically,financially & politically to develop alternative source of Energy on Top Priority.With this,I am confident our Engg /Scientist will prove to the world & come out with the best technology suitable for our country.
RE:Support & Motivate our Scientists & Engineers
by indiman on Jun 03, 2007 08:31 PM Permalink
exactly Tamilnadu produces 30% of their power from Windmills and another 10% from Biomass. Windmills are all privatises in that farmers install them and sell electricity to goverment. If a state with enough coal for next 300 years is doing other states invest in non renewable sources. Why put unecessary pressure on our scientists at this point by begging for help from abroad that will make us slaves forever.
RE:Support & Motivate our Scientists & Engineers
by sandeep kriplani on Jun 01, 2007 09:51 AM Permalink
Most of the people think like you, but the real culprits (read politicians) do not think like-wise. Maybe, they have their own vested interests.
I think our democratic system has certain flaws in it. The "adult franchise" system has either to be changed in favour of "educated adult franchise" or all the adults need to be educated. The govt. has not taken any steps to do either, otherwise the vicious circle of politics-crime-money-power-politics will start to diminish.
It required a big revolt from within and I hope a day will come when the common man will think "enough is enough"
USA is desperate and pressurising India to sign Nuclear deal becoz:
1. Their private companies want to set up nuclear plants in India and thus earn billions of dollar. But if India tests nuclear weapon, not only these functioning of these civil plants be stopped by USA but India will have to pay damages running into billions of dollars as compensation to these USA companies and these plants closes permanently by USA.
2. To stop India from testing any nuclear weapons in future. If India does tests, it will have to pay a heavy penalty for doing so if it signs such an agreement.
3. This agreement will also mean while China and Pakistan can keep testing nuclear weapons and keep improving their technology and add nuclear weapons to their arsenal, India may not be able to do so.
4. India has reached an advance stage in thorium technology and in few years may not have needed Uranium as much as it needs today. USA does not want India to be independent and wants India to be permanently tied down in future so wants India to sign this agreement. This deal will be a set back to years of hard work our scientists has put in research of thorium technology.
Amongst Nations, there are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests so any nation will do what is best for that nation. USA is doing what it thinks it is best for USA(forcing India to sign an highly unjust agreement to stop India from becoming a true superpower as USA does not want India becoming US Comp
RE:Nuclear deal
by Channa Manna on Jun 01, 2007 01:54 PM Permalink
Well said except the SUPERPOWER part. India and Indians would do better if they clear off their minds from being obsessed with the word 'SUPERPOWER,. India, no matter what, can not become superpower atleast in this century. It will have to wait till 2150 to become so that too if all the developed comtries stop developing today which is not going to happen.
RE:Nuclear deal
by Ind Prince on Jun 01, 2007 03:17 PM Permalink
Since half my post is missing, what I wanted to say was USA is doing what is in US interest so India should also now do what is in India's interest.
What started of as a civil nuclear agreement between ManMohan and Bush has now been altered so much by US Congress that this deal now has little resemblance to the original civil nuclear deal.
USA has now inserted highly objectionable clauses. Furthermore, USA has made it clear that they will not be able to make any amendments to clauses(like India cannot test nuclear weapons in future, cannot reprocess fuel etc)so it is INDIA THAT WILL NOW HAVE TO MAKE ALL THE COMPROMISES before signing this deal.
India should walk off from this unjust deal as it is not in India's long term interests to sign such an agreement.
