Bush: India Is Responsible Nuclear Nation

[jpak]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-5643203,00.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush is expressing hope that he'll have a civilian nuclear agreement with India in hand to take to Congress when he returns from his visit next week to South Asia.

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Under the agreement, the U.S. would offer nuclear technology and fuel to help India build reactors to meet its growing energy needs. In exchange, India would separate its civilian and military nuclear programs, and allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency access to programs not linked to defense work.

<snip>

Critics of the deal on Capitol Hill say it undermines the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which India has not signed. They say it would put safeguards on India's nuclear energy but not nuclear weapons programs, possibly allowing the spread of nuclear material from India for non-peaceful purposes.

India argues that since it began its nuclear energy program in the 1950s, there has not been one case of nuclear proliferation from India. Bush said he views India as a responsible nuclear nation.

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and in other news....

N-deal done, wait for Bush

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1634973,001301790001.htm

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According to sources, the fast breeder reactor programme, that scientists consider critical to India's strategic research programme, will not be placed on the civilian list until the agreement is revisited. Neither will the facilities at Kalpakkam and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). It is likely that around 14 of the 22 reactors will be placed on the civilian list.

India does not have a dedicated military nuclear programme, with all the reactors being linked, so separation from the grid will be conducted in a gradual and phased manner. Also, as the PM publicly asserted, all future reactors, built with international assistance, will be on a civilian list, subject to safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

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[Selatius]

1. Yes, let's junk the Non-Proliferation Treaty

You're allowed to build nuclear weapons if the US government says so. Junk the old treaty. Instead, nations must submit requests to the US government for permission to pursue nuclear power or even nuclear weapons. :sarcasm:

[jpak]

2. There has not been one case of nuclear proliferation from India. LOL

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/nuke/

The hypocrisy and bullshit are breathtaking...

[varun]

4. Where in the article did you see nuclear proliferation from India?

NPT is dead.

Signatories like China have violated NPT. The nuclear weapons that Pakistan and N. Korea have China written all over them.

[jpak]

5. India has no nucular weapons program?????

They did not test any such devices in 1974 or 1998???

They don't have a nucular capable ballistic missile program????

That sure sounds like nucular proliferation to me...

[varun]

6. Nuclear Proliferation means...

...giving nuclear technology to OTHER nations / organizations.

India has not transferred nuclear technology to other nations.

China has done this, and thus, in in violation of NPT.

[jpak]

7. Semantics

India is the poster child for nuclear proliferation.

They wrote the book on it and should not be rewarded for their actions.

This whole nucular deal stinks - another neocon con job to reward proliferators and enrich GOP connected US nucular industrialists.

It's indefensible - period.

[varun]

8. I think this deal can be beneficial

It will reduce the dependence on Oil. Nuclear energy is cleaner. It will also force India to be more open and responsible about its civilian nuclear program.

Just because Bush is pushing it does not make it bad.

[jpak]

9. Sorry, I disagree

Diesel and wind power *together* account for only ~3% of India's electricity production - nuclear power will not decrease oil consumption in the power sector.

The transportation sector is responsible for most of India's oil consumption - and nuclear power will have little, if any, impact on this...

This deal will NOT open up India's nuclear weapons program to international inspection and safeguards - nor will it make India more "responsible" with regard to the potential use of nucular weapons against its neighbors.

If this deal includes provisions for the US to take custody and dispose of Indian spent fuel - this would really suck.

...as does anything where "Bush" and "nucular" are used in the same sentence...

...and again, the only ones benefiting from this deal are Bush Cronies....

[Village Idiot]

3. If India was RESPONSIBLE...

they wouldn't have "weaponized" their CANDU into "Smiling Buddha" in the first place.