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. So we need a short-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. It is George Bush's personal credibility and US nuclear business interests that will be at stake that would ensure adequate pressure is created in the US for the US Congress to ratify the Indo-US agreement. The NSG waiver is accordingly our prime objective and not Indo-US Nuclear strategic ties as commies and knickerwallahs are projecting
