09-07-2008, 08:20 AM
The main argument put forward by the opponents to the deal, particularly the Pioneer, the Left Leaders and the BJP is that India has given up its right to conduct nuclear test.
What would be the consequence of such a test? Cutting off of fuel supply for the nuclear power plants that we may build in the future consequent upon signing the present deal.
At present the position is that India has built up a nuclear deterrent force that would take care of the immediate threat posed to our national security. The perfection and fine tuning of the delivery system can continue as it does not fall under any of the present agreements under discussion. Now a stage may come when it is felt that the present nuclear warheads in possession of India are perhaps outdated or not capable of handling some new threat perception and needs replacement by more advance atomic and nuclear devices.
In such a situation, the Indian decision makers have to take a decision as to whether they can risk disruption of nuclear fuel supply to the power plants and go ahead with the testing of a new nuclear device. If for preservation of India as a nation requires that we take the risk, we should go ahead with the decision and face the consequences. However, it must be remembered that the deterrent value of any nuclear device is the same and its actual destructive power will not play a major part in changing the course of events , or the political and human fallouts.
On the other hand, if the destiny of India is left to the Pioneer and D. Raja to decide, we will have no access to the latest technology needed for the construction of the nuclear power plants and we cannot trade with the world at large for purchasing nuclear fuel. We will have to continue constructing more thermal power plants and adding to global warming and pollution problems. In view of this it is perhaps the most conscious decision that has been taken in recent times by the Indian decision makers which has ensured the lifting of all restrictions on India and it is now free to do trade with the members of the nuclear supplier group.
Another aspect needs to be borne in mind. There is nothing static or permanent in international diplomacy. On a future date, depending upon how much clout India may have developed in the international arena â will be the deciding factor on the consequences of going in for a new nuclear test. It may get condoned despite whatever agreement is in place. We are just witness to how India specific decision and concessions have been extended to us by the IAEA members. Such special gestures cannot be ruled out in future.
Therefore, I would like to sincerely request the learned members of this forum to ponder over the issue and the finer points of the matter to come to a conclusion rather than blindly cutting and pasting the media reports particularly that of the Pioneer. Come to a decision on your own before crying out that all is lost.
Jai Hind
What would be the consequence of such a test? Cutting off of fuel supply for the nuclear power plants that we may build in the future consequent upon signing the present deal.
At present the position is that India has built up a nuclear deterrent force that would take care of the immediate threat posed to our national security. The perfection and fine tuning of the delivery system can continue as it does not fall under any of the present agreements under discussion. Now a stage may come when it is felt that the present nuclear warheads in possession of India are perhaps outdated or not capable of handling some new threat perception and needs replacement by more advance atomic and nuclear devices.
In such a situation, the Indian decision makers have to take a decision as to whether they can risk disruption of nuclear fuel supply to the power plants and go ahead with the testing of a new nuclear device. If for preservation of India as a nation requires that we take the risk, we should go ahead with the decision and face the consequences. However, it must be remembered that the deterrent value of any nuclear device is the same and its actual destructive power will not play a major part in changing the course of events , or the political and human fallouts.
On the other hand, if the destiny of India is left to the Pioneer and D. Raja to decide, we will have no access to the latest technology needed for the construction of the nuclear power plants and we cannot trade with the world at large for purchasing nuclear fuel. We will have to continue constructing more thermal power plants and adding to global warming and pollution problems. In view of this it is perhaps the most conscious decision that has been taken in recent times by the Indian decision makers which has ensured the lifting of all restrictions on India and it is now free to do trade with the members of the nuclear supplier group.
Another aspect needs to be borne in mind. There is nothing static or permanent in international diplomacy. On a future date, depending upon how much clout India may have developed in the international arena â will be the deciding factor on the consequences of going in for a new nuclear test. It may get condoned despite whatever agreement is in place. We are just witness to how India specific decision and concessions have been extended to us by the IAEA members. Such special gestures cannot be ruled out in future.
Therefore, I would like to sincerely request the learned members of this forum to ponder over the issue and the finer points of the matter to come to a conclusion rather than blindly cutting and pasting the media reports particularly that of the Pioneer. Come to a decision on your own before crying out that all is lost.
Jai Hind