Nuke Deal Delayed - Is India on the backafoot?
by jamsheed abumohammed on Jul 09, 2008 08:03 PM
Kudos to our PM as his one historical bold step has taken India closer to the Deal. But the bumpy roads are ahead for its to take a final shape. In all probability US Congress is not possible in the present set up as IAEA Board of Governors would take their own time to approve. Besides, NSG may also take several months but in the meantime, US Congress which needs 30 days to clear the deal, would be winding up the business in Sept early. But once the IAEA clearance is obtained, it is possible to bring the NSG countries around to supply the required nucler materials to India's starving reactors. However, for US companies to supply, they need the Congressional nod. This may take sometimes. All said and done, the deal would clear the deck for the NSG members to supply to India which otherwise would not be possible. Thanks to the bold step taken by the PM, this hurdle would soon be crossed. But the first major hurdle being the Govt to go through the Trust Motion in the Parliament which will arms the Govt with some authority. If not, it will again go to the cold storage and the next Govt which has the political will to do it alone could muster courage and sign the deal. Till then one has to keep the fingers crossed as the number has already begun in the capital. SP is a divided house with so many of its MPs have revolted against the decision to support the deal. Mayawathi is up against Mulayam and play a game or two to disturb all calculations. All these would upset UPA Trust move.
