Someone had perhaps rightly said that serious threat to India comes from within the country itself rather than from outside. Although the above observation was made in a different context, the hulla baloo created recently by the left and, of all major political parties, the BJP over the US-India nuclear deal at it’s final stage, goes on to prove that the above “proverbial” statement is very very true.
It is interesting to know that the much-publicized Indo-American nuclear deal has not been struck over night. It has a three-year-old history. The deal has already been discussed, seriously been examined by the experts and ultimately approved by the cabinet too. The left as well as the right[BJP] both had maintained golden silence over the issue all these years. Now, when the time came to put the final seal on the deal to make it “operational”, the left all of a sudden rose up from the deep slumber, as it were, and threatened to pull out of the Manmohan led coalition government at the center, if the government did not scrap the deal. Not to be cowed down, the prime minister hit back declaring that the deal was as good as final and there is no question of re-negotiating it. Mr. Singh was so disturbed that went on to challenge the left saying that they may quit the government if they show desire.
Sensing an opportunity to topple the government, the BJP soon jumped into the fray and egged the left on to withdraw the support to the government over the nuclear deal. BJP went on provoking the left saying, “it was time for the communist to ‘bite’ and not to bark” alone. Expectedly the left did not take the bait from the BJP. Senior CPM leader Jyoti Basu soon gave a hint that the government will not be toppled, as he ruled any mid-term poll. This perhaps settled the issue for the BJP since that point it had stopped being very critical of the deal. BJP is known for it’s pronounced pro-American tilt. Deviating suddenly from it’s age-old policy only to teach the congress party a lesson has not done any good to it’s “nationalist” image. An over helming number among the followers of the party if believed to be in favour of the deed. So is the case with the followers of the left too.
The deal, as has been certified by the experts, dose not compromise on the nation’s sovereign power. There may be some merit in the left’s concern that some of the clauses in the deal are ambiguous which may not be in India’s favous. But the point is that what these people oppose to the deal, were doing all these years? The deal was presented thread bare before the critics both in India and America for there scrutiny. If there were any objections those should have been put up immediately. Instead of doing that, they left waited perhaps for instructions from china – it’s friend, philosopher and guide. It is perhaps china and it’s nuclear ally Pakistan who feel most uncomfortable as India strikes a deal with Washington in the nuclear area. China already wants to dominate Asia and is eager to perform the big-brother role in the sub-continent. It is never pleased with India’s emergence as a “super-power”. Two counter India’s growth it started assisting Pakistan in acquisition of nuclear weapons ever since India tested its first bomb in 1974 at Pokhran. China and Pakistan have signed a nuclear co-operation treaty. China had clandestinely smuggled nuclear devices to Pakistan even after joining the non-proliferation treaty. It has already earned Pakistan to the hilt with nuclear warheads caring missiles. Arming India’s greatest enemies with arms and ammunitions that can play havoc with lives and properties clearly shows the intention of India’s northern neighbors. But that perhaps dose not bother India’s left brethren.
The Indo-American nuclear deal, if it goes into effect, promises to do a world of good to the nations interest. As soon as the deal is final, the three-decade-old technology sanctions would be lifted. These sanctions were imposed on India in 1974 when its first atom bomb was tested. When the sanctions are lifted the trade in nuclear technology and materials will be boosted. Besides, the deal will allow India to achieve its target of 20,000 MW of power by 2020 AD. To achieve greater growth rate the country badly needs power at a cheaper rate and the nuclear energy is the cheaper alternative to oil and gas. The country has to part with a huge sum in importing expensive gas and oil. Clearing the deal will also make India a “friend” to the nuclear suppliers group and consequently boost up India’s industry and trade. This will also help India fulfill its dream of becoming an economic super power. On the other hand, if the deal falls though china will be immensely pleased, but India will not only be deprived of all the benefits listed above, but it’s international goodwill and credibility will be severely damaged and no country will in future believe in our commitments.
Meanwhile Mr. Manmohan Singh may also be aware of the fact that in the end all the threats spelt out by the left might prove to be empty ones because in the case the present government falls, it will be the BJP which stands to gain most in the by-election and the left will certainly not venture to do anything which will have even the remotest chance to benefit the BJP in any way! So the Manmohan Singh can stay in peace and go ahead with his program to put the final seal on the deal.
Word count: 945