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Manish Salian
15th April 2008, 12:49 AM
Hi,

Here are the contributions to the topic from experts:

Dhruvesh Sanghvi

This topic is a difficult one unless people have real content for this topic.

Sometimes it is possible that we might not be able to structure this GD well.
I think one of the possible structure would be:

Start:
(1) We need to look at the 123 agreement that is in progress ... and why this deal has hit a road block. We can also find what are the unclear parts of this deal!!


Some background information:
Why US wants this deal to go through:

(2) The reasons given by US:
India is a very old and stable democracy. US and India have been friends for long time. As india is growing at a blistering rate the need for fuel would be large. and hence will create a lot of burden on fuel resources (crude, coal, etc).
US can help by supplying nuclear fuels and will benefit (money) by selling it to India.


(3) The reasons that analysts give: (the unclear parts)
It is a strategic move so that it can play south asian politics well
The dominance of China in this region makes India a natural ally of US.



Viral Vora

(1) The Indo-US nuclear deal has undergone a lot of roadbumps. Both sides have tried their best to preserve their interests.

(2) The UPA has also had the burden of convincing the left that the deal is not a mere kowtow to US muscle power.

(3) For President Bush especially this deal is supposed to be the saving grace of his rocky career in office.

(4) The deal presents US with one of the biggest markets for Nuclear energy viz. India.

(5) The pressure on the deal is mounting because once the republican government goes out of office, India is unlikely to garner so large a support in the US Congress.

(6) The 123 agreement in its latest draft has been well negotiated by India. The key take-aways from India from the 123 agreement are that India will be able to reprocess used fuel, the US suppliers will be open to India after a long time, the US govt. will compensate India in case it decides to withdraw supply, it also gives India the option to forge ties with other countries. At the point of Indian nuclear establishments being open to US examination and review, India has smartly divided its facilities into civilian and defence facilities and opened only the civilian facilities to checks.

(7) All in all, now the deal is not so unclear and will also considered to be a great step forward for the Indo-US relationship.



Karishma Savla

While discussing about the Indo US nuclear deal, I we should discuss about the benefits the deal brings for our country.

(1) The nuclear deal removes hurdles for India to procure nuclear technology
and fuel and gives access to America's high and dual technologies.

(2) India can built more power plants. 15 fuctional and seven undr development.

(3) Increasing energy needs require alternate soln. India can do away wih
dependence on foreign countries for oil and fuel supply

(4) Also New Delhi proved US to be a strategic ally rather than countries like Pakistan, Iran or Afghanistan which support terrorist activities, which US is trying to fight against.

(5) It was difficult for US president to sell the point to US Congress since,
India is not a signatory of NPT and in the past India had secretly carried out two nuclear test in the year 1974 and 1998.

(6) One of the reasons why UPA government is opposed against signing the deal is because they consider it to be a sell-out and acceptance to America's supremacy.


Regards,

Manish sir

BijoyShah
15th April 2008, 01:18 AM
Indo-US Pact - Nuclear Deal or Unclear Deal?

1] 123 agreement - agreement for cooperation as a prerequisite for nuclear deals between the US and any other nation.

2] Hyde Act - Amendment in 123 agreement (for India) by which the U.S. will provide access to civilian nuclear technology and access to nuclear fuel in exchange for International Atomic Energy Agency-safeguards on civilian Indian reactors.

3] Economic benefit - The deal will spur India's economic growth and bring in $150 billion in the next decade for nuclear power plants, of which the US wants a share.

4] India has 24% of the world's thorium reserves (but not sufficient technology to process thorium and use it for nuclear power) and meager 1% of the global uranium reserves (So if the deal takes place, it can get access to nuclear fuel and other technologies required for nuclear power).

5] India has been for long a good friend of Russia (diplomacy is one aspect but at the same time we need to be technologically advanced)

6] Political opposition (The Left parties opposing the deal and even ready to withdraw support and BJP saying that it can compromise India's nuclear weapons program)

7] Yes, certain areas of deal are unclear and a lot of efforts need to be taken in future. India must negotiate a safeguards agreement with the IAEA and the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) must agree to modify its export control standards to permit nuclear cooperation with India.

Manish Salian
15th April 2008, 10:42 AM
Hi,

Here is how all of you have fared in GD 4: Indo-US Pact: Nuclear Deal or Unclear Deal

Viral Vora: 7 marks

Karishma Savla: 5 marks

Dhruvesh Sanghvi: 1 mark

Sorry Bijoy, I can't score you in this topic, as you have posted after the dealine! But thanks for your valuable inputs, anyways! Keep up the good work.


Regards,

Manish sir