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Experts differ on nuke deal

– Photo: S. Mahinsha

Hot issue: Former diplomat T.P. Sreenivasan delivering the N. Narendran memorial lecture in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. Social activist R.V.G. Menon is also seen.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Contrasting views on the Indo-US nuclear deal were voiced at a function organised to commemorate the late journalist N. Narendran here on Thursday.

Delivering lectures on ‘Indo-US Nuclear Deal – Energy diplomacy and politics,’ diplomat and former governor of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) T.P. Sreenivasan advocated the need for going ahead with the agreement as it was imperative to meet India’s energy requirements in future. But, former ANERT director and social activist R.V.G. Menon stressed the need for exploring alternative sources rather than blindly depending on nuclear energy.

According to Mr. Sreenivasan, the deal was a “dream-come-true” for the nation. “India has been trying to acquire nuclear technology without signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The deal will not impose any new restrictions on India. If Indo-US cooperation is possible in the fields of technology, education and agriculture, it is workable in this score too. The Hyde Act will not harm the nation. Fears and controversies over the deal are unfounded,” Mr. Sreenivasan said.

Opposing this, Dr. Menon said that the US was pushing the deal promote its business interests. “Exciting breakthroughs have been made in non-conventional energy sources. Solar and wind energy can be effectively tapped to meet India’s energy needs. Solar panels are now available at affordable rates. Private companies have already approached the Centre with proposals worth Rs.80,000 crore to make use of solar energy,” he said, adding that by setting up panels in a small area in Thar desert in Rajasthan, the energy needs could be met.

“The US is opposed to India cornering oil deposits at source. It also intends to promote nuclear reactor business since US companies could not sell even a single reactor during the past 30 years. The focus was on the job opportunities in the US and not much has been said about the advantage to India,” Dr. Menon said.

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