Crossing the milestone

The new arrangement worked out between President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the nuclear issue is a major landmark in several respects. The agreement promises to end India’s nuclear isolation. The United States has committed itself to adjusting its domestic laws and international treaties to facilitate nuclear fuel supply to India. India will, as it always has, behave like a responsible power and put in all possible safeguards against proliferation. If the Bush Administration follows through on its commitments, this agreement could pave the way for a massive expansion of India’s civilian nuclear energy programme. In the short run, this agreement will pave the way for expeditious consideration of fuel supplies to Tarapur, which is facing a critical shortage of fuel enriched uranium.

This agreement is also a tribute to India. India is slowly being acknowledged as a full-fledged nuclear power, and an important player in the shaping of a new proliferation order. The agreement is also a testament to what India can achieve when it pursues policies with the weight of political consensus behind it. India’s nuclear policies, and the subsequent diplomatic efforts to bury the ghost of Pokharan, would not have been possible without sustained efforts by both the BJP and Congress. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that our political parties work together to leverage India’s new power towards creating a sustainable nuclear programme. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh deserves credit for his perseverance and his ability to carry along all the branches of government with him in this endeavour.

While the agreement is a major breakthrough, it is also a work in progress. The Bush Administration will have to put in considerable effort to change US domestic laws. But the very fact that it is willing to do so, is a measure of how important India has become in US eyes. It is also a measure of its sincerity that it is willing to expend political capital on India. On the other side, India will have to carefully deliberate on the terms under which its nuclear programme will come under international safeguards. But these residual uncertainties should not detract from the fact that India and the US have just crossed a major milestone.