The essence of the India-US nuclear deal

(Ref: The Economist, August 25, 2007)

Though a nuclear arms power,India has not signed the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT). India has consequently been barred from civilian nuclear trade by America and other developed countries. Through the recently negotiated agreement, America has made an exception in the case of India. USA will supply India with civilian nuclear fuel and technology. In return, India has agreed to submit to safeguards on its civilian nuclear programme and will separate it from its military one.

But India has negotiated special terms. India will have a say in what reactors are inspected and when. India will retain the right to reprocess atomic fuel for energy generation, a procedure which will also yield fissile material for weapons. America’s nuclear technology will, however have to be returned, if India tests another nuclear weapon. At a meeting of the IAEA next month, India will seek approval for “India specific” safeguards. India will also need an exemption from the 45 nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which bars nuclear trade with countries such as India, that refuse to apply international safeguards to all their facilities.