Energy needs of India are increasing exponentially. Thus nuclear power is one of the way forward for India to bridge this gap. Increased price of oil and gas internationally, issues of climate change associated with coal as well as the breakdown of consensus on big dams (where NAPM is one principal actors) has forced the country to relook the viability of nuclear power.
Once we secure NSG waiver, it does not bind us to nuclear trade with only the US. We are at liberty to trade with anyone we like. It also does not imply that trade would be a one-way street, India reduced to being a net importer. India's fast breeder reactors are cutting edge, generations ahead of even the US. We have the largest reserves of thorium in the world. Thorium cannot be directly used as a nuclear fuel. It needs to be processed into uranium. And this uranium is one of the highest quality in the world. However the glitch is that it will take at least another 10 years for our fast breeders to come on stream. Uranium resources like fossil fuels are expected to last 30 years. We can rule the world as the key nuclear supplier in 30 years
So we need a short-term strategy to plug our energy needs and this is where the deal finds a fit.
Further once India secures a NSG waiver, it is immaterial whether US Congress approves the Indo-US Agreement as we will be at liberty to trade with all other countries whether it maybe Russia, France, Australia etc.
