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Blogs by Sonal Arora
321…Blast 8/19/2008 3:21:06 AM
As the 123 agreement moves forward, the UPA government might have to start counting backwards, 3…2…1. There are hefty discussions on whether the “Aam Admi” government (in the event of early elections or the 2009 elections) would be able to secure the confidence of “Aam Admi” who is more interested in procuring the basic necessities instead of a nuclear energy revolution.
It required a strong character to go ahead with the deal against all odds and Manmohan Singh needs a round of applause for that. His belief that the deal would take India to the next phase of nuclear engagement would make it happen as big tasks are accomplished by risky ventures.
As Manmohan Singh takes the big leap, it is essential that the entire deal should be presented before the public in its original form so that it should not be left at the mercy of politicians and journalists commenting on it in order to form an opinion. It should then be left to the public to decide if it is favouring the government for it.
The fear of the Left, however, of India being merely a pawn in the hands of the US government should not be overlooked and need to be tackled with. Even if the government is unable to have the support of the Left parties in the Parliament, its concerns are significant for the safeguards agreement. The government should ensure that India is either able to recycle the used nuclear material for which it earlier had to obtain sanctions from the U.S. government or send the same to some other country for recycling so that it does not become a dumping ground for the waste. Moreover, it is also important to ensure a regular supply of nuclear materials from any or some of the countries of the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) in case of a nuclear test India might undertake in the future so that the supply does not stop altogether.
The government also has to deal with fear of the unknown. It is yet unknown who the next US President is going to be and how he would perceive the deal. The equation between US and India may change with the new President. In addition, the past experiences where the nuclear supply was irrationally stopped also goes against the deal.
There has always been a prevailing anti-US sentiment in most parts of India. People should therefore be made aware that deals is signed with other countries apart from US too which have not been publicized so much. Apart from its own allies (Left), the government has to bear the usual grunt of opposition.
Hence, the Prime Minister has to take cautious steps while the deal is being finalised so that there are minimum loopholes. There are so many hurdles he has to cross before the “Aam admi” can entrust him or the Congress the responsibility to carry out governmental affairs for the next five years. The SP support, on the contrary, comes as a welcome respite to let it advance in between all disagreements. It is only after the fog of misconceptions and uncertainties is cleared that the government can move further saying 1…2…3…go.
