n s g drama

n s g  and  1 2 3

1. why is india clamouring for it ?

no sensible reason. trade is already permitted by nsg. ( if it is a case specific one , may be nsg membership will make it universal.

frankly i don't know. and it doesn't matter anyway. )

the only possible explanation is that psychological boost. nsg took birth basically to control india in its nuclear adventure. if finally india gets a seat in nsg it can probably boost our confidence in international dealings.

the other explanation is to play up the drama element . make nsg membership look like a kittaakkanai and then project the struggle and finally the happy ending.

2. why is usa supporting us ?

only becoz we are a large buyer willing to fall in line. and usa is a seller in a hurry. (may be they can do it without india being a member of nsg. there should a limiting clause in the present arrangement. frankly i don't have the details.)

3. can military use be identified ?

123 agreement is based mainly on the presumption that military and non military installations can be marked out. i don't see how it can be done. in fact the initial opposition was mainly due the fear that it will destroy our thorium research and block our military use.

even in the present form india can never think of moving an inch ahead in nuclear research. another blast and we are banned. hyde clause will apply . probably worse than before. we will become a proclaimed offender. in that sense 123 is as bad as npt.

4. what do we plan to buy from usa ?

clearly second hand nuclear generators is a top item. look at the insistence of usa on reducing the insurance liability and how we toed the line. this probably is the biggest sell off the country has seen in recent history. any debate is welcome

my take

nsg membership is drama. nothing wrong in a little bit of entertainment in politics.

123 agreement is a disaster. people kept low profile becoz of the delay in its implementation. they thought that in typical indian style 123 will also be left in the dust bin. now that it is in the implementation mode we should at least know what we are going to get and in return for what