The Hindu : Front Page : “Nuclear deal does not hinder strategic programme”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 06, 2007
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“Nuclear deal does not hinder strategic programme”

Former diplomats say it leaves enough room for conducting atomic test

Muchkund Dubey terms BJP’s opposition to deal “political posturing”
Naresh Chandra warns that China may try to get similar deal for Pakistan

NEW DELHI: The civil nuclear deal with the United States does not hinder India’s strategic programme and leaves enough room for conducting an atomic test in a changed geo-political situation, some former diplomats have said.

They said that India and the U.S. should put on fast track the negotiations with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and pave the way for signing the pact.

‘Free to test’

“We are free to test ... the agreement is for import of technology. There is no mention of treaties like the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty [CTBT] and Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty which prohibit atomic tests,” the former Foreign Secretary, Muchkund Dubey, told PTI.

He also sought to dismiss the Bharatiya Janata Party’s rejection of the draft 123 agreement, terming it “political posturing.” “I am surprised by the BJP’s statements. Its opposition is based on political and electoral compulsions and not on scientific reasoning,” Mr. Dubey said.

‘Political decision’

Asked about the apprehensions of the scientific community on the option to carry out nuclear tests, the former Foreign Secretary, Shashank, said the decision to conduct a test rested with the Government of the day.

“Nuclear testing is not a decision to be taken by scientists. It is a political decision,” he pointed out. Mr. Shashank said both the U.S. and India had made concessions but since it was a negotiated agreement, it should be looked at in its entirety and not by putting it in a negative light.

“Now, the agreement needs to be wrapped up quickly before the Bush administration moves into election mode,” he said.

Naresh Chandra, former envoy to the U.S., said future governments would have to be alert and vigilant as “American politicians do not have a universal view about India.”

He said this when asked whether the deal could be a cause of concern for future generations.

India would require a “lot of support” at the NSG and guard against lobbying by Pakistan, he said. “China could also make attempts to thwart it and try to get a similar deal for Pakistan.”

Mr. Dubey dismissed apprehensions about Indian nuclear facilities being subjected to American inspections if the IAEA expressed its inability to ensure safeguards.

“Why would the IAEA safeguards fail? They fail in nations where governments cheat. We have been transparent in our dealings and will continue to be,” he said.

Moreover, Mr. Dubey said, any decision on the failure of safeguards would have to be made by the IAEA’s Board of Governors, of which India is a member.

Iran link

Mr. Chandra sought to play down attempts by some U.S. lawmakers to link relations with India to its policy on Iran, saying the two issues are separate.

“It is unfortunate that the two issues have got connected. There is a need to separate them,” he said.

Mr. Shashank said a discussion in Parliament would make the Government’s thinking on the deal clearer. — PTI

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