he Indo-US nuclear deal is being called the biggest breakthrough in years. The 123 agreement that will make the deal operational, was finally made public earlier on Friday.
This, after months of tough negotiations between Indian and American diplomats that took place, even as the deal battled its way through Parliament in Delhi and the US Congress.
Many have consistently raised concerns that this make-or-break deal might be bad for India but here is a look at more of the fine prints of the deal that has a life span of 40 years.
The 123 agreement is a civil nuclear deal, therefore, it will have no bearing on India's strategic and military programme and India can make a bomb. It is completely out of the ambit of the deal.
In the text of the deal there is a clause that says that the agreement will in no way be a hindrance to India's strategic programme. Therefore, India can continue to make a bomb with its own fuel.
What is clear from the draft of the 123 agreement is that there is no legal binding commitment on India to never test again. India, if it wants to, can choose to conduct a nuclear test.
If India does conduct a nuclear test, it will not be violating any international treaty or agreement because there is no mention of testing or detonation in this bilateral agreement.
RE:RE:Left is a ant nation party
by Hate Who divides on Jul 01, 2008 02:55 PM Permalink
Did you read the text of Hyde Act??? I think no ............... Once I posted the Dangerous clause of Hyde ACt ..............You Must go through it ........ as per my knowledge 123 Agreement is part or dependent on Hyde Act .........If you are in a veiw that India should Not Test further or Dont want India Iran pipeline or Energy Crisis is the big problem and only problem......... you may support it
RE:Left is a ant nation party
by Pappu on Jul 01, 2008 02:47 PM Permalink
Essentially, what the controversy has been over is whether if India conducts a test the Americans under their own laws would have the right to take back all the fuel that they give us.
Right of return
The deal interestingly says that the right of return that the Americans have does not automatically comes into effect. It is something the US administration chooses to do. They would have to stop cooperation with India.
But whether or not they take back fuel is something they would have to choose to do.
Even after the US chooses to do that, there are about seven to eight barriers before the right of return actually comers into play.
What the agreement says that that it will take into account the circumstances in which India conducts a nuclear test.
These include a ''changed security environment'' or action, which could impact national security. Essentially what it boils down to is that the right of return may not be invoked if Pakistan or China conduct nuclear tests and India responds to that by conducting a test of its own. In a way, this is the first international agreement, which would justify the circumstances in which a nuclear test is conducted.
So India is not giving up its right to test and right of return of nuclear fuel does not automatically comes into play. Apart from this there are certain assurances given by US President George W Bush to the Indian side. Those have been verbatim repeated in the text of the agreement.
RE:Left is a ant nation party
by ASHRAF NATHER on Jul 01, 2008 03:02 PM Permalink
Dear Pappu,
So far i dont know what is 123 agreement, now i have understand, not fully. may be it will take some time. becoz i dont have that much knowledge. las but not least, what is your opinion. whether PM must sign the agreement or not.
RE:Left is a ant nation party
by Pappu on Jul 01, 2008 02:47 PM Permalink
These assurances are that the US would ensure that there is a lifetime supply of fuel for India's nuclear reactors and that they help India build its strategic fuel reserve.
If the US is unable to fulfill this commitment, it will convene a group of countries like Russia, France and the UK to ensure supply.
Even if, for some reason, they were to take back nuclear fuel, India retains the right to seek alternate sources of fuel for itself. India will have to build strategic reserve so that it does not go out nuclear fuel.
