There is no explicit mention about nuclear test, but what i think is that once India is engaged with NSG and IAEA, It is hard to conduct the test first.Becuase it will not create India's positive image in international forums. That will provoke Pakistan another nonsignatory of NPT and other countries to conduct nuclear tests.If some other countries specially Pakistan conducts test, then India can do but there will be no first bang in India. Because India will be morally bound. Some people link this issue with China and what I believe is that China has nothing to do with it because China itself is a signatory of NPT. China may encourage Pakistan to get the similar deal but US will not go that far because US has no long term strategic interest with Pakistan anymore.
RE:India is morally bound not to test.
by PM on Aug 10, 2007 07:45 PM Permalink
There is no such thing as "moral" in international diplomacy. The ultimate concern of a nation-state is self-preservation that guides its behavior in its relationship with other nation-states. It is rightly said that there are no permanent friends or permanent foes in international relations; there are only permanent interests. Presently, India's interest lies in energy security. The nuclear-weapons capability acquired by it so far is encouraging. US agreed to break ranks and sign such an unprecedented nuclear deal with India not because of any enlightened concern for the energy requirements of India, but because it thinks that wider engagement with an emerging India would help further its self-interest in international affairs. If at any point in time the needs of the country are served better by more nuclear tests then that will be the course of action. Like with any other country, nuclear testing will have its own consequences in the short-term. But if the benefits outweigh the costs (which it will, given the global importance)then no "moral" obligation will stop it from doing it; there was none to begin with.
RE:India is morally bound not to test.
by Lalatendu Deo on Aug 06, 2007 11:19 PM Permalink
Whatever Indira said here were hypothetical. Here are soem posers. First of all, whether we are testing any device any more? And if we are, then whether the treaty can stop that? Could NSG and IAEA stop our first one or the second one and can it do in our third phase, if we wish to? And whether Pakistan's test of a purchased device is at all important for our scintific community? Yes, it may be for our strategy to a small extent.
And whether the strategic interest of US or China in Pakistan has any thing to do with our huge energy requirement in the forseeable future?
The point is plain and simple. We need to boost energy production and nuclear one will part fulfil it. We shall have to look out for other sources and those are not readily available.The agreement reached with US is fairly acceptable with several strings attached. This is understandable. We were not forced sell our house to get it.
I think I have made it clear as to what I understand from all these. Any comments please.
