The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Nuclear deal

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Thursday, Mar 06, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Nuclear deal

The latest stand taken by the UPA government is that the provisions of the Hyde Act will not be applicable to the Indo-U.S. 123 agreement. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher has also said it is possible to move forward with both laws.

If the two countries are indeed so confident, why not add a clause to the 123 agreement saying that the Hyde Act will not be applicable to it? It is well known that the U.S. believes in the dictum: ‘do what I say, don’t do what I do.’ It can go back on the agreement as and when it pleases. The government would, therefore, do well to tread cautiously.

N. Kumar,

Chennai

* * *

Our nation went nuclear for the sake of a few scientists who wanted to showcase their capabilities, prove they were second to none. Nuclear energy is the most unsafe of energy sources; near-accidents are never reported in the media.

That the Seventh Fleet threatened the nation at a time of distress is part of our living memory and yet, we are being asked (or are we?) to accede to the demands of a nation that has till today not stood by us in times of need. America has played an irresponsible role in the international arena. It is time the government took into account the sentiments of the people.

It is also time India assumed a more stabilising role in international politics rather than succumb to pressure that does no good to our international standing or reputation for fair play.

A.M. Charles,

Margao

* * *

In the 1960s, the U.S. agreed to build the first nuclear power reactor for India at Tarapur under the US-Aid programme. It had a contractual obligation to supply enriched uranium for the reactor’s lifetime. But soon, it unilaterally went back on the obligation on the pretext that its domestic laws no longer allowed the supply as India was not a signatory to the NPT.

Today, the UPA government tells us that the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal is an international agreement and that U.S. domestic laws such as the Hyde Act cannot infringe on India’s rights and obligations arising out of the 123 agreement. Whereas every visiting U.S. dignitary reminds us that for operationalising the nuclear deal, the Hyde Act has to be taken into consideration. Since both sides cannot be right, we would like to know who is fooling the people.

V. Venkatasubramanian,

Mumbai

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