Implications Of Indo-Us Nuclear Cooperation
30 August, 2005
By Sobia Nisar
US efforts are aimed at promoting Indian nuclear capabilities which are a source of major threat to China as well as for Pakistan. The United States plans to help India become a “major world power in the 21st century”. Under the US plans, Washington offered to set up a strategic dialogue with India to boost missile defence and other security initiatives as well as high-tech cooperation and expanded economic and energy cooperation. The US has decided to allow India to acquire the same facilities accorded to a member-state of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty without signing the agreement, a move tantamount to recognizing India as a nuclear weapon state. In a meeting between US president and Indian PM Manmohan Singh, US enables India to secure international help for its civilian nuclear reactors while retaining its nuclear arms. India can also obtain nuclear fuel for the Tarapur reactors. According to the US accord, India would acquire the same benefits as are reserved for other 5 nations- US, Russia, China, UK and France-that are recognized as legitimate nuclear states under the NPT. While the US agreed to amend its own non-proliferation laws and international regimes to grant the new status to India, New Delhi has agreed to undertake the obligations of a “responsible nuclear state.” These responsibilities will include “identifying and separating civilian and military nuclear facilities and programmes in a phased manner,” placing India’s civilian nuclear facilities “under IAEA safeguards,” and “negotiating an additional protocol” with the International Atomic Energy Agency. India would also continue the moratium on nuclear testing, work with the US for fissile materials cut off treaty and maintain export controls.
According to observers, there are adverse ramifications of Indo-US cooperation:
1. Since last year, India had pressurized Washington for a firm commitment of defence supplies, at least 4 times, but received no satisfactory answer. However, the US commitment came at a time when the US announced its decision to sell an undetermined number of F-16s to Pakistan in order to prop Pakistan to meet US needs of fighting the War against Terrorism. As a matter of fact, the US aid to Pakistan does not change the balance of power in the region, whereas the US ‘aid’ to India does disturb the balance of power in all respects.
2. The technology gap, caused by transfer of sensitive technology will upset the balance of nuclear deterrence in the sub-continent.
3. India is going to use the dual technology received from USA in giving a fillip to her nuclear weapon programme and the delivery means.
4. The Indo-US defence and nuclear cooperation will lead to the escalation of arms race in the region, which is detrimental to the regional security interests of South Asia.
5. The Indo-US nuclear cooperation is aimed towards containment of China as China’s military and economic might is perceived as a threat in the Indian as well as western circles.
6. The Indo-US Nuclear Cooperation is bound to create insecurity within all South Asian countries bordering India. India has disputes with all of its neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan etc. The so-called “World-Peace Keepers” should understand that any US move to boost Indian hegemonic objectives will create chaos and disturb regional peace.
7. Although Indian PM has expressed that India is a responsible nuclear state, it is a known fact that India has been engaged in covert nuclear proliferation activities for years. Under Indo-US agreement, the Indian government will allow the US government to carry out a reference check on Indian companies which import sensitive technology. The pact’s objective is to allay US fears of possible technology misuse by India. According to observers, the agreement has been signed in connection with Indo-US Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) as US officials had expressed many times that progress on NSSP is linked to the enforcement of desired non proliferation/ export by India. However, it is not enough to halt nuclear proliferation by India going on at such a large scale. Despite the pact signed, India is sure to remain engaged in nuclear proliferation activities as it has a long history of leakage and illegal transfer of sensitive technology. In addition, India is to receive more nuclear technology from USA under the latest US accord, which is quite surprising for international observers.
8. In the backdrop of Indo-US cooperation, lies the US belief of the fake claim propagated by India that she is the “World’s Largest Democracy.” However, maltreatment of Indian Muslims and other minorities at the hands of Hindu majority gives a practical blow to this claim. Caste based violence is increasing at an alarming rate. The rise of Hindutwa ideology, sponsored and protected by the state has created an unprecedented environment of violence in India. Slanderous attacks on Islam are made and desecration of mosques and shrines often result due to religious hatred against the Muslims. Besides, anti-Muslim riots are a common feature in India. This reflects a marked disparity between Hindus and Muslims in social, economic and educational fields. Thus, US strategy of promoting cooperation between the world’s oldest and largest democracies is based on a fake democratic concept which is bogus in reality.
Such Strategic US moves aim towards making India the World’s major power could have been justified only if India had won confidence of all regional countries of being a peaceful country. If India had resolved all of its disputes including border, water and others with the neighbouring states. If India had resolved the core dispute of Kashmir according to the wishes of Kashmiris at stake. Rather, India is not at all serious to give up its hegemonic designs and let peace prevail in the region. India is not at all serious to end up the sufferings of Kashmiris even it has a golden chance to do so via the “Composite Dialogue Process”. It is only buying time in the case of Kashmir issue. It is only involving Pakistan in insignificant matters, while sidelining the main dispute to show the International Community and the west that everything is okay between India and her regional neighbours. India is doing so with a view to derive maximum strategic benefits from the west and to attain a permanent seat in the United Nations. The western watch dogs should be wise enough to look into the consequences before extending nuclear cooperation with unreliable partners.
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