So, without having to tolerate any imminent danger to its own security, the US, stung by the Talibani metamorphosis of Pakistan, sees the new pro reform, pro globalisation, pro US India as its future beach head against a possibly hostile China and a possible China-Russia-Central Asia axis (on the lines of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation), as well as a fast developing ally of Israel against Palestine, Iran and Taliban-type fundamentalism. India is now Israel's largest customer for weaponry. In 2000, India's defence purchases from Israel amounted to $1.5 billion. Military hardware and software worth $ 7 billion have been bought since 2006 (The Times of India, 31.8.07). The American Jewish Committee openly supported the proposed deal. India has Observer status at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, and the US would like also to wean it away from such alliances.
The Indian nuclear programme is self-reliant and actually unstoppable without military intervention. As it is going to continue anyway, so, apart from good business policy, it is sound military and diplomatic strategy to exercise a degree of control over the supply line of fuel. Once India becomes dependent on this supply line for nuclear power, whose importance in the energy sector is also being enhanced, a threat to choke this line will add to the pressure on India to toe the US line, especially in emergencies.
