Nuclear Deal Will Make a Big Difference to the Nation

There is no dearth of issues at any given point of time in India. At this instant even though there are many issues that come to our notice I, the nuclear deal with the United States have created quite a furor in Indian politics and media. India which calls itself none aligned with reference to the superpowers during the cold war, has always traditionally shown a tilt to the formerly USSR before the fragmentation of the soviet republic into smaller divided nations and the loss of its superpower status. Realizing the folly of siding albeit indirectly with a state that failed, the Indian policy makers have started looking favorably at its relations with the only superpower left in the world now, the United States of America.

Though India had the capability and the technological know-how of manufacturing nuclear bombs or weapons for a long period of time, she was never considered a major nuclear power. With strict international guidelines and moratorium on the testing of nuclear weapons on countries like India, the country has never been able to declare openly to the world about its nuclear capabilities. Even on the very few occasions it did, it was in defiance of the laws laid down by very influential select group of nations thereby attracting sanctions or strictures against it. Given this back drop , this present issue which in general has got nothing to do with the manufacture of nuclear bombs or weapons but only the official recognition of the powers that be that India is a country capable of producing or handling sensitive nuclear technology sensibly and responsibly for peaceful purposes and technologically advanced countries can now officially help India in harnessing nuclear technology without inviting any sanctions through helping out in the sourcing of resources, technological aid and also help in the disposal of the nuclear waste.

Now why is there an issue about it? In a multi party democracy like India, political parties have different ideological reasons to support or oppose an issue. Most of the ideology is thrown out of the window when it comes to getting the most number of votes. The left which finds itself aligned with Russia or china, because of the political umbilical chord they are attached to with these countries, feel that India has gone out of its way and has in fact bent itself backwards in getting the deal signed. They also feel the country’s honor, security and integrity has been compromised by this non-proliferation treaty and has become a puppet of the foreign policy of the United States.

Now that the deal has been signed, the common mans attitude seems to be that of indifference. Given that the country is facing a shortage of power, any alternative sources of power other than the hydro and thermal means of energy production will go a long way in addressing the power issues facing the country. It only remains to be seen whether we are in fact able to fully tap the positives arising out of the deal or simply turn into one more stooge of the most powerful country in the world. Only time will be able to answer.