In the hallowed tradition of shooting ourselves in our own foot (or running around like headless chicken), the Indian Left has decided that they will consider withdrawing their support to the UPA if (and this is as of today) the Indian government goes ahead with negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). They aren’t opposed to representatives of the government meeting the IAEA mind you – just having substantive discussions with them.
Now as to why the government would meet with the IAEA if not to discuss the 123 deal is an open question.
But such juvenile tomfoolery based on ill-informed, outdated and a rigidly indoctrinated geo-political world view is only to be expected from the Left. The Communists after all, have an endemic dislike and distrust of anything American. Or industry. Or capital. Or enterprise. And from time to time, while they are spewing their anti- American, anti- Capitalist, anti-big industry venom – they have been known to indulge in monumentally foolhardy enterprises like banning English as the first language of instruction in schools of West Bengal (causing a generation of Bengalis in West Bengal, not fortunate enough to go to private catholic schools, to grow up being linguistically impaired in the universal language of commerce). Atleast in my home state of West Bengal, what they gave back in their rule since 1977 isn’t very visible – atleast not until the current CM decided to do a volte-face against the tenets of pure communism and went around the country asking for the Wipros/TCS/Infosys to invest there. This after computer education ( and any government office automation) was effectively banned in West Bengal because according to the Left, it was a “capitalist conspiracy”.
Anyways, I am digressing.
The point I am trying to make is that the Left has a depressingly bad governance record in the states they have ruled.
And for them to become the torch-bearers of national interest and patriotism makes me sick to the core. Especially, given the importance of the deal to India’s long term strategic interests.
I am the last person to fall for the line doing circles in the English language Indian media – about how the Left is more pro-China than pro-India – almost like they are Beijing’s proxy trouble creators intent on derailing the deal to suit China’s interests – but in acting like they have have planted themselves in a corner.
Way out? As with everything else in Indian politics – this has now ceased to be a rational informed discussion. Like for e.g. – the Left is opposed to an apparent non-binding clause in the Hyde Act about how the treaty would cease to exist incase India were to conduct nuclear tests. What they have failed to mention is that no nuclear power conducts nuclear tests anymore. Nuclear Tests are not required to maintain nuclear weapons – The data can now be computer simulated anyways. The only countries interested in a physical nuclear tests would be the likes of North Korea (which, I am sure, Karat and company, really admire). Nuclear Tests serve no tangible scientific purpose other than sabre rattling. Which India, being the country that we are, does not need to do.
So again, way out? In the absence of rudimentary knowledge, geo-political vision and the ability to look beyond short term popular political gains – this will eventually be a battle of egos. The only way out seems to be some kind of face saving political gesture by both the UPA and the Left. In the bargain, as always, the only thing to suffer would be India’s interests, the image of its democracy and the perception of the maturity of the leaders we elect in front of the electorate.
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The Hazy Cloud of Confused Thinking 
Like you argue, there is such a lot being written about the
1. Hyde Act
2. 123 Agreement.
What exactly are these Acts?
Are they legislative Acts?
And which countries’ acts are these, India or US?
It would be helpful for a lot of us to understand if you could please clarify.
Thanks.
LI i second you. I hoenstly do not understand any of this. It would be nice if you could write explaining these in layman’s language.
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Can’t agree with you more. A number of brains (not politicians alone) have invested time and energy into negotiating this deal. And after all that, one doesn’t behave like the Left is behaving. I can understand the Left’s points of view. But the way they are opposing this deal is far beyond any reasonable extent. The cynicism and negativism, won’t do India any good.
LI, Nidhee, Pradeep – thank you for your views.
The best, most balanced analysis of the Hyde Act that I have found can be accessed here.
http://www.planetd.org/2006/12/18/the-indo-us-nuclear-deal-a-post-henry-hyde-act-analysis/
As you will see, as with any agreement, while this one is not perfect from India’s perspective – but we are getting a lot – and more importantly, building a strategic partnership with the US.
People who comment on how the United States can just scrap the deal one day if India does not toe its line forget one fundamental fact. This agreement opens up a huge market for American high-tech nuclear suppliers.
So to think, the US would, based on an epiphany, decide one day to renege the deal is at best naive and at worst an indicator of lack of understanding of international commerce and geo-political imperatives.
Thanks for the link.
But it says the Hyde Act is an American Law, so why does India have to sign up to a US Federal Law. it is for the American’s to amend their Laws to do business, is it not.
And NOW you agree, it is NOT PERFECT from INDIA’s PERSPECTIVE, then why should we sign up to it?
Just because it is being offered by Americans? That is pathetic.
The chinese are talking of a deal with Pakistan, and the Hyde Act, being American, does not apply to any Chinese deals.
Pakistan gets the immediate advantage of having Nuclear technology, as well as freedom to continue developing weapons.
In my opinion, for India, this sucks.
I refuse to lick boots just because they happen to be American.
So in your words, I “lack of understanding of international commerce and geo-political imperatives.” Excellent logic.
I presume you are an expert in this field?
Little Indian,
I am not an expert in anything. I just follow news – and read as extensively as possible to understand issues.
Now coming back to your comments –
1. In International diplomacy, no deal is perfect – a deal is forged between two nations to work towards common shared goals and interests. A deal therefore, by essence has to meet the interests of both the parties. In this particular deal – India’s interests are creating a sustainable non-fossil fuel based energy generation capacity to fuel our economic growth and increased urbanization. We can use a number of alternative approaches – Nuclear energy is one of them. Unfortunately, we dont happen to have enough Uranium and nuclear expertise in-house to make that happen. Therefore the deal, from our standpoint. From America’s standpoint, they have a goal of ensuring strategic partnerships in Asia to counter China. India is the only alternative. Hence their magnanimity. (Not to mention, if we burn less fossil fuels, we help the environment)
2. This has nothing to do with Pakistan. Or for that matter, our freedom to develop Nuclear Weapons. As a matter of fact, we dont even have to open our military nuclear reactors to international inspectors ( in my view, a major strategic victory for our negotiators). So we are free as we want to be to develop nuclear weapons. As for testing nuclear weapons, like I said, no advanced nuclear power needs to test nuclear weapons anymore. All data is computer simulated. Testing of Nuclear weapons was a very 80’s concept and does nothing but bring international isolationism.
3. To your point, and I quote- ” I refuse to lick boots just because they happen to be American.”
A nation aspiring to be a world power needs to think like one. You would want to remember that India is a subcontinent sized country with extremely stable (if flawed) core fundamentals.
To have this seemingly belligerent attitude of “refusing to lick..etc” is wrong on two counts. One it is plain stupid. The Americans arent asking us to lick anything. As a matter of fact, we are net-net gainers in this deal.
Secondly, this attitude is a by-product of our colonial history and the lack of comprehension of our strength and importance in the world community. We are one of the two of the largest expanding economies of the world and the thought that any interaction with the Americans is a master-subservient relationship couldnt be more patently wrong.
We are by the day – becoming a strategic partner with the United States – which is helping both our countries.
So we want India to be a “Developed” nation by 2020 – it is important that we get over this persecution mentality, recognize our importance and strength, be cogent in our rationale and most importantly, start thinking big picture.
-n-
Thanks for clarifying you are no expert.
For when you write,
you definitely sound like one.
Then I presume you will accept that what you write is only “your opinion” and not an expert evidence. And may not be necessarily correct.
Thanks anyway,
I will not debate this here any further.
:)..i try to sound like an expert. part of my bread and butter:)
And we all know how prescient “expert” opinions are most times.
I like your blog btw. To each his own. Which is what makes the world interesting. And chaotic.
-n-
Thanks Neuro for the link…the current impasse is really counter-productive. But its not just the left – even the PM is to blame for making this an “ego” issue. Still, there’s a way out.
Eclectic blog, btw.
Thank you Dweep. I love reading your blog as well. Very informative and well written.
I agree with your observation. Now, its become an ego issue all around.
Lets just hope for the best that sanity prevails
well written. thx for a comprehensive analysis from both the stakeholder’s poit of view.
@little indian – get a life!
Thank you Appa. Appreciate your comments.
The deal is in the best interest of India:
India neednot compromise on its weapons programme..it neednot compromise on itS weapons programme or put it’s nuclear facilities under fullscope safeguards.
It gives india assured fuel supplies for it’s civilian nuclear reactors in return for them going under permanent safeguareds.
It allows india to reprocess and recycle it’s spent fuel.
doors will now open for hi tech and dual use tech in sectors as diverse as IT, defence, space and pharmaceuticals.
India will get recognition as a state with advanced nuclear technology and won,t be considered as a nucler pariah.
Tough der are possible pitfalls like the deal may be annuled if India conducts a nuclear deal.
and that the bar on tests would be upheld by the nulear supplier,s group.
also US may controll India,s foreign policy but aren’t there pros and cons to every situation.. the deal would allow India to achieve it,s energy targets of 20,000MW of power by 2020.also it,s clean energy and savings on carbon emissions would be big.
http://tyroneanthon819.livejournal.com/624.html