Nuclear deal — Indians in a fix

Because of well known and controversial nuclear deal between India and America, the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has fallen in the danger zone. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has made it a question of dignity, has decided to go on with this deal, even at the cost of the existence of central government. On the other side, the left parties, that are constituents of the government, without taking part in its council of ministers, have decided to withdraw their support because of being against this deal. The left parties have 59 members in Lok Sabha of 542 member's Indian Parliament. Only because of their support, the UPA could form the government. Now on coming July 22 the future of the UPA government will be decided by voting in the Parliament.

From the beginning, the left parties have been strongly apposing this agreement to be done, between India and America. The left parties are of the opinion that America is making its pressure on India through this agreement. According to the left parties, India would become like a yes-man of USA, by this agreement and in this way India may have to more away from its policy of non-alignment. Not only left parties, but many nuclear scientists and experts are not in favour of this deal. For example, the former director of Bhaba Atomic Research centre P.K. Iengar does not consider this deal in favor of India. According to many experts, this deal between India and USA clearly means that India will be a follower of USA and would set aside its policy of non-alignment. But in India there is a big group that is in strong favor of this deal.

Former president of India and Bharat Rattan Dr. A.P.J. abdul kalam has told that this deal is in favor in India. Because of the support of Dr.kalam to the Indo-us nuclear deal, it is being seen that the UPA government which was expected to lose vote of trust because of the with drawl of left parties from the government, the socialist party has stepped forward to stand with the UPA government. In India, there is opinion as in the world, that the Muslim society has a bias against America, so Indian Muslims would, too appose this deal. But surprisingly it is being seen that two of the biggest organizations of the Indian Muslims, the Darul Uloom and the Barellevi Organization have told this deal in favour of India and have declared to give it, their full support.

Those who are in favor of this deal argue that India would need a huge and unlimited energy in the future. Fuel like petroleum would not be able to meet this unlimited requirement. The second argument is that because of increasing danger of global warming, such sources of energy should be encouraged, which produce the minimum pollution. Obviously there is the minimum pollution, if the nuclear fuel (Uranium) is used and with its help there is minimum pollution and maximum energy can be produced. Those who oppose this deal argue that after signing this deal, India would not do any nuclear test. But after seeing the papers of this standard deal between international Atomic energy agencies (IAEA), it is noticed that I.A.E.A not interfere in the defense programmes of India. Besides it, this agreement will be applicable on those non-defense reactors that India would recognize.

Undoubtedly, at present there is a great challenge before India to meet the needs of increasing demanded of energy in future. Certainly the nuclear energy is the best alternative of energy. On the other side India has a little in store of the required fuel Uranium to run the nuclear reactors. That is why India has to look at other countries for the supply of uranium. It is being stated that because of this deal there will have no hindrance in the supply of nuclear fuel uranium and at the same time India will counted in the names of those countries that have sources of nuclear energy. Those who are in favor of this deal consider it a need of the country and this deal can be called a scientific freedom for India. The main reason is that if India does not perform this deal with America then Russia, Britain Germany, France and other uranium producing countries cannot supply nuclear fuel to India without this agreement. Whereas, after this deal India will be in position to get nuclear fuel from these countries.

But despite these positive arguments, it cannot be denied that behind this deal there is not any the far reaching foreign policy of America. Experts are of the view that America that used to put pressure on India to sign CTBT is now trying to have its say through this deal. This controversial Indo-us nuclear deal is being told in favor of CTBT. On the other hand, America is opposing Indo-Iran –Pak gas pipeline agreement, which is to fulfill the needs & demands of energy of India. So the left parties that are taken as the permanent opponent of the American politics may be right in thinking that after this agreement India may not be totally dependent on America for its fuel requirements after this agreement. And even it is that India may not because as a yes-man to America. The doubt of the left parties is getting voice because this prime minister of India Dr. Manmohan singh used to warn the third world from the politics of the developed countries. But during his period, the pressure of the world bank and the international companies on his rule is becoming clear.