The proposed India-U.S. nuclear deal pending in the Congress seems to put a spoke in the global non-proliferation efforts.
While the strategic importance of the U.S.-India bilateral relationship cannot be gainsayed and advocates of the deal suggest India is a responsible nuclear steward, it is certainly a concern how after providing an exception to the nuclear rules for one country, how other countries can be expected to follow them.
The proposal is startling in that it gives India all the benefits of being a recognized nuclear weapon state with no overt resposnibilities.
Under the proposal India is not required to stop producing nulclear materials nor provide certifiation that it will not increase its production of enriched uranium for weapons. Its power reactors don't come under international inspection.
This policy extending to one country is likely to encourage others to deviate from the non-proliferation rules.
The danger of abandoning the non-proliferation treaty is that it weakens the basis for opposing the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran and opens up the world to the horrible possibility of a nuclear weapons free-for-all.
The most desirable scenario would be if India signed the non-proliferation treaty. Failing that, India must prove that U.S. technology and materials will be used only for civilian purposes and that reactors that supply electricity to the civilian sector must be opened up to international inspection. Finally, India must commit to disarmament and a binding promise not to encourage non-nuclear weapon states to manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons.
If India fails to make these commitments, we need to prepared for the likelihood that Pakistan and China will pursue a similar deal.
Leave a comment