How did a tissue help India clinch Nuclear deal with US ?
PTC News Desk: The nuclear agreement signed by PM Singh allowed India to not only shed its 'nuclear pariah' label but also gain access to nuclear technology and fuel from the international market, ending years of isolation and strengthening its energy security.
The historic 2008 India-US Civil Nuclear Deal, the outcome of intricate and challenging negotiations, has been a topic of conversation following the passing of former PM Manmohan Singh last week. This deal, often regarded as one of the key accomplishments of Manmohan Singh's leadership, earned him the title "Singh as King," as highlighted by his media advisor, Sanjaya Baru.
Significance of India-US Nuclear Deal
India required the nuclear deal with the United States to meet its rising energy demands and end years of nuclear isolation. With its economy expanding quickly and a population over a billion, India faced an immediate need for sustainable and dependable energy. However, as a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), India was shut out of the global civil nuclear market, restricting its access to advanced technology and uranium resources.
This limitation hindered India's efforts to diversify its energy sources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and achieve its ambitious climate targets. However, the journey to the nuclear deal with the US was filled with challenges. India had to separate its civil and military nuclear facilities and place all its civil facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The US, in turn, had to revise its domestic laws, notably the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and obtain an exemption for India from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a global export control body. During the Cold War, Pakistan, rather than India, was the United States' main ally in South Asia. Indeed, India faced US-imposed sanctions following its 1998 nuclear tests, with around 14 other countries also implementing their own restrictions.
Prior to the nuclear deal, the US was unable to explicitly acknowledge India as a nuclear-weapon state.
However, a decade after India’s economic liberalisation, spearheaded by Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister and PM PV Narasimha Rao, the country began to emerge as a rising economic power. This shift prompted some in the US to view India as a potential strategic partner, particularly in the context of balancing its relations with emerging China.
Some members of the Indian delegation were concerned that the terms of the draft agreement closely mirrored the US's demands. There were also worries about the limitations it imposed on India's strategic nuclear program. The agreement stipulated that India must apply safeguards to its nuclear facilities and specify which ones would be subject to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Tissue that lead India to clinch N-deal with US
In the hours leading up to PM Manmohan Singh's scheduled meeting with President Bush at the Oval Office, there was intense negotiation both within the Indian and American teams. At the urging of Condoleezza Rice, the Indian delegation, led by PM Singh, chose to make one final attempt. The prime minister called for Anil Kakodkar to join the discussions.
"The PM asked him straightaway what would be acceptable to him. Natwar Singh was with the PM. Silently, Kakodkar picked up a tissue from a box that was on the table before him. He sat down and scribbled two sentences on it. 'They were words to the effect that the autonomy of our three-stage strategic programme should not be restricted in any way.' He handed the message to the PM. The PM looked at the paper and passed it to Natwar Singh, who put it in his pocket. Then Kakodkar left," wrote Neerja Chowdhury.
Anil Kakodkar's note played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock that had nearly derailed the negotiations. It offered the US the reassurance that India was committed to separating its civil and military nuclear programs and was ready to operate within the framework of international safeguards.
- With inputs from agencies
