Q1: Why is it so important and urgent now to sign the agreement? If there is delay who will lose what?
A1: It is important to sign the agreement because Bush presidency will end by January 2009. Bush being a co-author of the agreement, will remove all obstacles within US, NSG and IAEA so the agreement becomes a hallmark or legacy of his presidency. If there is a delay, India is the loser. A democratic Congress will only pass the Agreement after making several amendments to India's detriment. Sooner the agreement is passed, sooner India's place as a permanent member of the UN Security Council will materialize
Q2 : Why do we need to sign an agreement for next forty years to come without knowing the likely technological breakthroughs possible in the near future?
A2: Just because we sign an agreement we are not committing we are going to buy. An analogy is that simply getting a passport does not mean that the applicant needs to travel internationally.
Q3: What is the likelihood of kickbacks in the business part of the deal? A3: Like any other business, I am sure kickbacks will be a part
A4: What is the cost of cancellation for India in case next government cancels the agreement? Q4: Either India or US can cancel the agreement by providing 1 yr notice. Even if the agreement is canceled the NSG waiver remains so we can trade with other countries, not possible now. We can even cancel the IAEA inspection by invoking India' s Right to Correctional Action clause.
