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Journalism of Courage
New Delhi8217;s fervent hopes that Iran8217;s proliferation will not complicate India8217;s efforts to finalise the nuclear deal with the United States have now been dashed. Tehran8217;s decision last week to renew activity at the Natanz uranium enrichment plant has triggered off a fresh international crisis. And the nature of New Delhi8217;s decision at the International Atomic Energy Board of Governors next month would undoubtedly have a direct impact on India8217;s own nuclear negotiations with the US and President George W. Bush8217;s visit to India in a few weeks.
The logic of India8217;s own national interest and Iran8217;s continuing nuclear defiance would suggest that New Delhi continue to vote with the global mainstream. India had voted last September in favour of the resolution that censured Iran and asked it to abide by its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. At the same time, India had also insisted that diplomacy be given time to resolve the issue at the IAEA rather than the United Nations Security Council, which could consider further measures against Iran. Tehran, however, has not used the intervening period to find a way out. Its rejection of a sensible Russian compromise which would have allowed it to have access to nuclear power reactors as well as atomic fuel, have left the international community with few options.
