Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Hurdles in last mile

The Hindu has done the nation a great service by carrying the editorial "Hurdles in the last mile" (July 20). The scientific community was virtually called names by a section of the media when it warned the country against signing the India-U.S. civilian nuclear deal.

While our eminent scientists were accused of working against national interests, bureaucrats became national security experts. Now that the United States is showing its real intent, India must have no hesitation in throwing the deal out, lock, stock and barrel. Even famine-prone North Korea has displayed more guts in standing up to Washington.

Captain Johann Samuhanand,
Bangalore

* * *

A masterpiece of an editorial! India would do well to abort the deal, concentrate on developing indigenous technology for FBRs and thorium-based energy. It would perhaps take an extra 10 years but what is a decade in the history of a nation? We may have to live with a slower GDP growth during this period.

The U.S. is proving as slippery as an eel and it would be suicidal for India to be drawn into the trap it is setting as part of its global leadership strategy.

R. Subramanian,
Bangalore

* * *

The editorial is certainly one of the best editorials that have appeared in The Hindu . The new language the U.S. lawmakers are trying to incorporate in the deal is clearly against the spirit of the initial agreement between the two governments.

New Delhi should take a firm stance on the final negotiations. A soft approach will only result in more hurdles being created.

S. Sudhir Kumar,
Hyderabad

* * *

The riders attached to the operative part of the agreement need close scrutiny. At no stage should Indian interests be compromised. If the U.S. intention is to commit India to what has not been agreed upon, it would be better to scrap the deal.

N.V. Ramanan,
Bangalore

* * *

Many thanks for the comprehensive treatment of the subject. India should not abridge its right, explicitly or implicitly, to acquire and develop nuclear weapons. Our nuclear weapons technology is probably very much in its infancy. It will be, therefore, in India's long-term interest to give up the deal.

Jayananda H. Hiranandani,
Norwalk, California

* * *

The editorial is a superb piece of responsible journalism. The suggestion that Parliament assert itself on such issues of national sovereignty can be overlooked only at peril to our national pride.

Kasim Sait,
Chennai

* * *

The editorial says full civil nuclear cooperation is no longer on offer as the Senate is not for it. It is astonishing to see India being asked to sign on the dotted line. It is clear that anything inconsistent with the July 18, 2005, agreement must be considered a move in the direction of breaking it.

V. Seshgiri Sharma,
Chennai

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