PROS AND CONS OF INDO-US NUCLEAR PACT

The input cost for nuclear energy is much larger than any other conventional and non-conventional source of energy. The full cost is much higher, we became a dependant nation for nuclear fuel like uranium and hard water reactors rather than independent nation. We cannot ensure regular and erratic supply from other nations due to their frequent policy changes in their respective countries. Tarapur is a great example how we suffered and kept idle for years together. Other aspect is  nuclear non-proliferation and security concern. We cannot ignore nuclear non-proliferation considering the fact that  the organized criminals are very powerful and active and harboured in enemy countries who have international connection. Consider the safety and security aspect – It is vulnerable to terrorist attack and  nuclear leak through human error, theft of fuel. If there is a natural disaster we have to face double disaster. India like country is not well equipped with handling disaster even flood, earthquake, cyclone and other natural disaster and has a very poor record of better national disaster reduction management, how this type of catastrophe can handle is a question mark. Safeguarding the plant, technology, fuel with high and enormous security thus more deployment of forces and more expensive affairs, nuclear waste management is a major problem and too expensive in disposing nuclear waste, high risk of health hazards due to radio active rays emissions which is quite harmful to health. A most densely populated country like India has lesser option to opt for nuclear energy.

People of India cannot afford to buy the expensive nuclear energy for their household.  If we use this expensive electricity in industrial and other sector, the input cost is much larger and we cannot make competitive product and services.  

Indo-US Nuclear Pact – Even if it is not much revealed information, the said deal is talking about trade, commerce, access of Indian R&D facilities and other such issues which is not connected with nuclear issues. The right to recall the technology, fissile material and other thing provided by us is the most worrying fact for India. Within a days and months, US can create such a situation where we break the agreements. This agreement is one step forward, two steps backward.  In totality the deal seems to be a one sided and US is trying to benefit because of other core issues involved in it and this deal is not ‘nuclear specific agreement’.  India’s better negotiating skill and lack of political diplomacy is clearly visible.  The climate change and global warming the developing countries putting pressure on third world to buy their expensive products/ services, technologies and sometime ‘dump 1^st and 2^nd generation  technology’ to the developing countries like India. US first priority is commerce and trade. The hasty approach on this Indo-Nuclear pact seems to be the worry of India’s growing power in South Asia and its vast growing market. It is a clear signal for India how the US hardening their bargain with India on various future issues including the future talk of GATT-WTO and Kyoto Agreement etc.  Indian diplomacy should be better prepared the pros and cons and need a better home work and deep study on this issue where we can better safeguard the India’s interest.

There is a great campaign going in the media that if the deal is not pushed, the Indo-US relation going to suffer. It is quite wrong and such threat should not take into account.  There is a perception among the poor people in India that US always protect the elite’s interest. It has nothing to do the lives of more than 1 billion citizen.  Hence such opposition from the peoples side against such deal is quite natural.

It seems that there is a great bias against some intellectuals (independent observers and not party specific) to air their opinion in the media and they have facing a black out.  The Electronic media not much interested in inviting the people like Brahma Chelany and other leading intellectuals  who has a clear far sighted opinion on this issue. The talk in the electronic media is putting a half truth and very less knowledge on the specific subject, if he/she has better access the information.

India has rich natural resources and able to produce excess energy, if they better utilize the same. For example, we can use hydro power, wind energy, thermal energy, solar, wave, hydrogen and other such energy sources, which is a vast potential for India and not much damaging to environment and cost effective. India need a better national energy policy and need more investment and focus R&D.   Whether US or India, its vast energy need for petro-products and dependency to other country leads to a disastrous end at the hands of bullying OPEC nations. We should not live at anybody’s mercy.

To sum up, Indian leadership need to review all aspects of the deal and need to go slow such expensive deal and need to address the concern of the people and some valid points raised by the people and need a clear study on pre-and post deal situation.  India should not be trapped the US policy of ‘either you are with us or against us’.  Even after 60 years of Independence, Indian leadership should show the maturity of political diplomacy and sensitivity of people because we are not any more just a snake-charmers country.  Today don’t come tomorrow, decide now.