India and US - III

[Guest]

If India is thinking of giving up strategic weapons then India is heading towards disaster treaty or no treaty. One thing we have to keep in mind, USA does not need legality to attack a nation. They will do it if it is a militarily feasible option where benefits far outweigh the losses.

At this stage India’s top priority is energy. Those of us who are in India know this reality. Also, we need weapons to defend ourselves from a duo of China and Pakistan. However, at this stage, active animosity with USA is not in the interest of India. Especially, at this juncture when USA is willing to work with India on certain issues.

If India is too rigid then India will loose out on an opportunity to address massive energy problem India is facing. If USA is too rigid then they will loose India forever that means India will continue towards acquiring more weapons.

So USA can work with India to shape an India who will be economically strong but not armed to teeth.

Or USA can force India towards massive weaponization and poverty by blocking the energy supplies to India.

It does not take much material to make nuclear bombs. India has plenty of materials to make plenty of bombs. Blocking Uranium supplies to India will not do anything to cap India’s weaponization efforts. However, supply of Uranium to India under auspices of NSG will facilitate industrial growth in India. Therefore India is willing to make a promise that India will cut off its weaponization program once India reaches the point where it can counter China and Pakistan’s joint arsenal. It is a good deal for USA. Right now none of India’s nuclear reactors are under IAEA safeguards but after this agreement, the designated civilian reactors will come under IAEA safeguards meeting one of USA’s policy goals on global nuclear issue.