The emergence of a renewed nuclear apartheid is troubling.
India should just drop all negotiations with the US on the nuclear deal, and tell both superpowers to take a hike.
We have developed nuclear energy (and the full nuclear cycle) for the past 50 years, and we could go on for another 50 years without anyone's help.
Once the Thorium-based breeder reactors are commercialized (in about 10 years' time) the US and Russia will come to India with a 'begging bowl' and beg us to become a part of the nuclear cartel.
Why? Picture this. Once we commercialize our thorium-based breeders, we will start exporting nuclear reactors and fuel reprocessing technologies to friendly nations, and since India is outside of the NPT, India will not require the recipient nations to subject such equipment to IAEA safeguards. The two superpowers are terrified of such a future scenario. Hence the hurry to get India to sign a one-sided nuclear treaty, and to eventually emasculate the Indian nuclear program.
I hope the Manmohan government has the backbone to tell the US and Russia to take a hike!
