India US nuclear deal

sigs · 10-24-2007, 02:49 AM

What do you think about this deal. should US continue negotiating with india on this or should it stop because it is making an exception in the case of India as india has not signed NPT till date. and also theres gorwing trouble in india regarding this deal where the supporters of government are telling it to boycott the deal. Are you in favour of this deal?

waltky · 07-10-2008, 06:05 PM

Time runnin' out...

US-India Nuke Deal in Jeopardy
Thursday, Jul. 10, 2008 (WASHINGTON) — Even with India's last-minute revival of a languishing civil nuclear accord with the United States, it may be too late for an election-year Congress to ratify what has been one of President Bush's top foreign policy initiatives.

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The administration hopes the agreement will form the cornerstone of a closer relationship with a democratic, economically vibrant country that borders nuclear-armed China. After months of deadlock, India is confident it now that it has the necessary political support at home for the deal. But it could be weeks, or even months, before the accord is taken up by crucial international organizations and, if approved, is then sent to the U.S. Congress for final consideration.

By then, American lawmakers probably would have only a handful of days left in their legislative calendar. The lack of time even has supporters skeptical about the immediate future of the deal, which would allow shipments of atomic fuel and technology to India. "There's not that many days left to do this, assuming they act yesterday," Democratic Rep. Gary Ackerman, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South Asia and the self-described "lead cheerleader" for the deal, said in an interview. "It's not impossible but highly unlikely that they've done this thing in time."

The next president could take up the accord when he takes over in January. Failure to secure approval under Bush, however, would leave it to an uncertain fate. Both leading candidates for president, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, have indicated support for the deal. But it is not clear that either would consider it a priority as president. The new administration also would be working without many of the high-level Bush officials who led painstaking talks with India and then persuaded skeptical U.S. lawmakers to give their approval.

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waltky · 07-23-2008, 03:08 AM

Gonna be a close vote in Indian Congress...

Future of India's nuclear deal with US hanging in the balance
22 July 2008 WASHINGTON: India's Congress is voting on the US-India nuclear deal on Tuesday, with reports suggesting it is going to be a very close result. It could lead to early elections being called in India.

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Meanwhile, in the US Congress there are doubts about whether this deal can be pushed through during the Bush administration. Supporters of the US-India nuclear deal in Washington view it as an opportunity to cement closer ties with an important strategic partner and bring India into alignment with international nuclear agreements. However, even the supporters are concerned. Congress approved the deal back in 2006.

US Congressman, John Crowley, said: "It's been a long time since that happened, and it's been slow going, and I understand some of the complications that have arisen in India. But I don't want to say I am terribly disappointed, but I am somewhat disappointed that it did not move in a faster way in India." There is a further set of complications too. For the agreement to go through, the UN's nuclear watchdog, IAEA, and the Nuclear Suppliers' group must provide separate approval.

Then the final deal must be debated and voted on again in the US Congress. But with the presidential election coming up, the congressional calendar has been squeezed in Washington, raising the prospect of the deal being passed over to the next administration. So what would the next president do?

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waltky · 09-08-2008, 01:46 AM

China talkin' outta both sides of its mouth...

'N-deal may trigger arms race in Asia'
7 Sep 2008, As China closely follows the implications of Indo-US nuclear deal, it has expressed fears that the NSG decision might lead to an arms race in Asia.

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Chinese experts on international affairs are calling for creation of a mechanism for India and China to discuss issues relating to nuclear non-proliferation on a regular basis. Beijing is worried that Saturday's decision of the Nuclear Suppliers Group might lead to an arms race with Pakistan and also impact the border negotiations between India and China. "China and India should initiate a process of regular dialogue to make implement the principals of nuclear non-proliferation in Asia," Ma Jiali, research professor at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told TNN after the crucial NSG decision.

With Indian officials bitterly complaining about China's resistance to India's case at the NSG meeting, New Delhi is not likely to be enthusiastic about such a suggestion. But Chinese officials believe India will have to send out the necessary signals to reassure the world community that it was walk the extra mile to avoid a nuclear arms race in Asia. M.K. Narayanan, the National Security Advisor, has emerged as a major critic of the manner in which the Chinese officials behaved during the crucial NSG meeting. He also happens to be India's special envoy involved in border talks with Chinese officials. It is likely that India's unhappiness over China's attitude will spill over to the border talks.

"I hope the Indian leaders and the Indian people realise that China sincerely wants to improve relations between the two countries," Ma said. Another government expert, who did not wish to be quoted, said the Chinese leadership was under strong pressure from a section of the Communist Party and the military brass to fight India's case tooth and nail. "There are hawks in every country and it is not always easy to win them over." he said.

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Now, China wants N-deal for Pak?
7 Sep 2008, China made the case for Pakistan in a veiled statement, saying it hoped the NSG would equally address the aspirations of all parties.

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The Chinese government on Saturday not only nearly toppled India's Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) bid in Vienna, but went a step further by advocating a similar nuclear deal for Pakistan.

China made the case for Pakistan in a veiled statement, saying it hoped the NSG would ‘equally address the aspirations of all parties.’ A number of analysts have taken the phrase ‘of all parties’ to mean a reference to its ally Pakistan.

Chinese Foreign Minister, Cheng Jingye, head of Chinese delegation scheduled to visit on Sunday said, “It is also China's hope that the NSG would equally address the aspirations of all parties for the peaceful use of nuclear power while adhering to the nuclear non-proliferation mechanism.”

Source

waltky · 10-02-2008, 02:46 AM

Senate passes India/U.S. deal...

Senate approves nuclear deal with India
1 Oct.`08 WASHINGTON -- Deal could let U.S. businesses earn billions building plants in India; President Bush backs the deal; he's expected to sign it into law; U.S. banned nuclear trade with India in 1974; Sen. Harkin, bill opponent: We're rewarding India for flouting nonproliferation pact

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The Senate approved a controversial nuclear deal with India on Wednesday, clearing the way for the United States to export nuclear know-how to India after a ban lasting decades. Sen. Chris Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, said the deal would not only "set the stage for a stronger U.S.-India relationship," but also would promote stability in India's troubled neighborhood.

"This agreement is indicative of a new era in Indian foreign policy, an era in which India will see all the world's powers as potential partners in efforts to address its own needs and the needs of others," Dodd said. "I believe that this new era will bring increased stability and progress in South Asia." India and Pakistan have fought several wars since they became independent in 1947, and both countries have tested nuclear weapons.

Wednesday's vote was 86-13. Sen. Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, spoke against what he called flawed legislation before the vote. "If we pass this legislation, we will reward India for flouting the most important arms control agreement in history, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and we will gravely undermine our case against hostile nations that seek to do the same," Harkin said.

More Senate approves nuclear deal with India - CNN.com