Home >> South Asia >> India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal

     Email   Print 

America's Nuclear Deal With India

Dr. Ravindra Kumar - 8/8/2007

Firstly, it was a great event in histories of India and the US, especially from strategic point of view, when on July 18, 2005 the proposed Indo-US Nuclear deal was signed between the Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh and the US President George W Bush during formers visit to the White House; secondly, with signing a new bill to this effect by the US President George W. Bush in December, 2006 to allow the US nuclear trade with India was the beginning of a new era of economic and political relations between the two great nations of the world all together as President Bush after signing the document himself admitted that it was an honour to sign the bill that would strengthen the relationship between the two largest democracies in the world, and that relationship between the US and India had never been so vital; and now with the ratification of the above bill by US Congress and finally accepting 123 agreements related to it by the two governments last week has paved way to new possibilities at world level.

Whole world is aware of the series of relations full of ups and downs that have been there between India and the US since the year 1947 when India achieved her independence.

The world also knows the background that has been behind the new developments emerged in relations between them. But one thing is notable here and that is neither India ever denied the role of the US-the strongest democracy of the world in the international field nor did the US hesitate to accept the significance of India-the largest democracy on the earth in global affairs.

As far as the question of this nuclear deal is concerned, it is possible that many in world would not be able to digest it easily; it is also possible that many would take it in their own way. And, no doubt, both the countries would try to gain maximum through it for their own, but in my opinion this deal between the two also fixes greater responsibilities for the both and first among them is that they make it definite that the deal along with enhancing relations between the two countries benefits the international community, and especially making the world safer.

For decades India possesses nuclear capability; its nuclear programme has been in safer hands. In this regard India has proved to be a responsible country. And I have no doubt that this state will remain intact. But, simultaneous to this, now time has come when India in collaboration with the US comes ahead to make the world free from fear, to contribute to progress of each and everyone in the world and to accord peace which is the principal aspect of its way.