World Politics Review | U.S.-India Nuke Deal Could Hinge On Behind-the-Scenes G-8 Meeting

I am wondering if this is the time to write obituary on the sad demise of U.S.-India nuclear deal.

I think the two key issues holding up this deal are:

(1) India’s demand that it must be allowed to reprocess the extra nuclear fuel, and

(2) India’s right to carry out nuclear experiments.

There is a growing discomfort in the U.S. political circles with India’s relationship with Iran. Perhaps, India is making a serious diplomatic mistake by not distancing itself from Iran. If India was so keen to maintain its independent foreign policy and closeness to Iran, it should not have negotiated a nuclear deal with the United States. A lot has been said in Indian media about India’s right to maintain good relations with any country it wishes (in this case Iran). I wonder if Indian politicians recognize America’s right to deny concessions on the nuclear deal.

With all fairness to Bush Administration, America has a right to protect its sovereign and strategic interests just like India does. A democratic controlled Congress, with most probably a democratic president in 2008, would result in more adverse attitude towards India on this nuclear deal. Time is running out for both parties.

The million dollar question is: -

Would the U.S. Congress go along with the Bush Administration if it made concessions to India’s satisfaction to close the deal?

In my view, there is still some (little) chance that the deal would be done before President Bush leaves office in 2008.

In the end, I must say that India is making a serious mistake by upgrading the status of a country like Iran. Iran has never supported India in time of need. It would do the same in the future. I am at complete loss that India finds a country run by Mullas so dear to its foreign policy.

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