See i agree that it is a long term game plan of US to use India as a counter weight to China in Asia, and this deal is a step in that direction.
But we must also examine our present position and the benefits that we get from the deal.
Currently our Uranium reserves are very low and hence our nuclear reactors are running at 30-40% capacity. This deal will ensure guaranteed supply of Uranium to India.
Of our 22 reactors, 14 will be placed under IAEA supervision, and 8 can be used for military puposes. but more importantly India has retained the right to develop future breeder reactors for its military program. This is a major concession as it means that Russia can build a few more reactors for us and these will not be monitored.
Lastly, we cannot ignore the very real threat from China. It is not only building stockpiles of nuclear weapons and uranium for itself but also supplying the same to Pak. Ie China has a long term policy of cornering India from 2 sides. India can never hope to match China......in the near term atleast. Hence we require the US help as much as they require ours.
