Bush signs away India's nuclear winter [US-India Nuclear Pact]

Times of India ^ | 19 Dec, 2006 0042hrs IST | CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA

[indcons]

WASHINGTON: Amid delight in many quarters and distress in others, US president George Bush on Monday signed into law the so-called Hyde Act that is expected to end India's nuclear isolation and pave way for a strong US-India alliance in the 21st century.

Striding briskly into a colourfully decorated White House East Room at 10.45 am, the president told an excited and partisan audience of supporters that nuclear cooperation would strengthen the partnership between the two largest democracies, aside from other benefits in terms of energy and environment.

"The relationship between the United States and India has never been more vital," Bush said in a 10-minute address that dealt primarily with the big geo-strategic implications of the deal, as against the the nuclear-specific grounds on which critics have opposed the deal.

Bush used former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's expression of India and the US being "natural partners" to stress that "rivalries that once kept our nations apart are no more". But Bush also provided ammo for critics of the deal in India by tagging a non-proliferation angle to what was primarily intended to be a nuclear energy deal.

"The bill will help keep America safe by paving the way for India to join the global effort to stop the spread of nuclear weapons," he said. The White House East Room was festooned with Christmas decorations and Indian and American flags as Bush took the podium, flanked by a Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington and Martha Washington.

More than 100 eminences grises, including secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, her deputy Nicholas Burns, key lawmakers, diplomats, analysts, and members of the Indian-American community attended the signing ceremony in a room where it is said First Lady Dolly Madison once hung her laundry.

First Daughter Amy Carter roller-skated here and Carolyn Kennedy rode her pony macaroni, White House staff recollected as the gathering waited for the president to arrive. The conversation provided appropriate metaphors for a deal that seems far from finished even though Bush has signed the United States Bill into law. There are still some slippery areas ahead and critics from both sides will be hanging out plenty of dirty laundry in the days to come.

Bush himself indicated that it was still a work in progress, describing the bill signing as "one of the most important steps," which is "going to help clear the way for us to move forward with this process."

That process will include a yet to be signed bilateral agreement called the 123 Agreement, and the joke among hacks was that it would be followed by the 456 and 789 agreements. Still, there was a sense of accomplishment on both sides at what has been achieved so far. Perhaps reflective and symbolic of the warming relationship between the two countries, it was also an an unusually warm day in Washington for winter (25ºC).

[nausmen]

It'll be interesting to see what the ChiComs do next in response.

That's easy to predict. The Chinese will befriend India. China won't be another Soviet Union. China will try to befriend every country through various means (primarily economic and manipulation of internal politics). Hell, they led the Non-aligned Movement during the Cold War, you think they won't play their hands again now? Don't underestimate the Chinese, they aren't stupid. They won't allow the US to pivot India against China. Watch India-China trade skyrocket in coming years.

[indcons]

Actually, India has the second largest population of terrorists in the world. Indonesia holds the dubious distinction of having the world's largest terrorist population.

[indcons]

Astute analysis

[nausmen]

And there is 850 Million+ non-Muslims in the country.... Your point?

That's like saying there are still 850 million peasants in India even though the India's growing middle class number 150+ million. The point is that 150+ million muslims is a nontrivial number, regardless whether they are a minority or not. And also most of those muslims are concentrated in specific regions of India, and thus have considerable regional influence. If you know anything about Indian politics, you will know that the muslims have far more political influence in India than their percentage warrants.

[MikefromOhio]

At some point posters on this site are going to have to realize that Muslims aren't going to go away and that you should NOT be afraid of working - being allied with them.

Otherwise you're in for a constant war of attrition.

[nausmen]

To work with muslims, they first have to be willing to work with you. How do you deal with someone who wants to kill you? You don't.

[Thunder90]

It still would be best for India to dump Russia and do what Poland did with their Soviet equipment-upgrade it with Western componets, and start filling in with Western NATO grade equipment.

[Thunder90]

There are also alot of Marxists in India who want to sign peace treaties with China and get in bed further with the Russians.

[T.L.Sink]

Pakistan was once part of India until the British partitioned it in 1947 due to unending Islamic-Hindu conflict. That conflict continues to the present - you may recall that recently they nearly went to war over Kashmir and it was only narrowly averted.

Now that it seems likely Iran will have nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia and other nations have threatened to develope them.

Nuclear proliferation is growing out of control. It's too bad because some of these unstable or demonic governments will not be deterred by MAD. Besides, allies can't always be depended upon - friends become enemies and enemies become friends. Sadly, the toothpaste is out of the tube.

[Gengis Khan]

Between US and China the choice for India is pretty obvious but still India would play a waiting game ........ until US finds itself free to go ahead for a full-blown alliance with India. You know what I am talking about.......<*cough> Pakistan<*cough>.

[MunnaP]

This thread disturbs me to a certain extent in the attitude towards Indian Muslims.....Please do not get me wrong. I describe myself pro Hindu and anti nobody. I am not pro Muslim ..

By the nuclear agreement India received nothing spectacular.
They had the nuclear know how from 1960 onwards. The decisions to keep the program small were carried out on purpose with the scare of nuclear accidents in a densely populated country. All the agreement does is to open up the India market to American nuclear industry. about time..

I don't know why people fixate so much on China. China is increasing trade with every country. China would have more trade with India that US in next 2/3 years..So playing off India against china is not really gonna work even if Indians might play along to a certain extent to dangle carrot in front of Americans. Nothing more than that... the Indian establishment would take care of their interests in China just like the US would...

India does have 140+ million Muslims..They do have a larger representation in the government..But that is a positive point..They have a stake in the system..Muslims in India have enough political power and clout that they would not need to go swell Osama's ranks...Giving the Muslims representation is essential to the success of the Indian experiment.

As any other country India is full of all kinds of people..communists and lefties and what not...But in a democratic setup everyone has to commit to the common system. As long as they don't come shooting you their opinions are just fine.....

[MunnaP]

There are plenty Muslim girls in India going without a Hijab or a Chador or a Burqa. There are plenty muslim girls wearing skirts and paying tennis...Average Muhammad in India cares only about his career and how to make a good life for his family..There are plenty Muslims in India using family planning and refusing to have more that 2 kids...They are changing from inside...These expressions of hatred and branding all Muslims with terrorist tag would not get you anything good....
Take a look at Turkey or Malaysia...There would see sustainable development in a predominantly conservative Muslim countries..That is the role model I want to sell to the Indian Muslims..not the Saudi Arebian one..which by the way is supported by the Americans to quench their oil thirst...

[painter]

you may recall that recently they nearly went to war over Kashmir and it was only narrowly averted.

I just telling my 20yr son who was reading this with me about how they almost started a nuclear war with each other. Bush quietly sent Rumsfield over there to explain to them what would happen to each other if that happened. You know what? The crises quietly disappeared. Rumsfield must have spun quite a realistic scenario to make it go away.

Talk about a Legacy, Bush without fanfare probably stopped the destruction of two large countries and the deaths of over a billion people.

[MunnaP]

India does not even need to make any choice...India would have large amount of trade with both US and China..Just like the US and China have with each other...Let there be great flow of love....three ways...Remember... Americans have half a trillion dollars worth trade with China...may be more ..I am not sure...

[MunnaP]

Qoute
Talk about a Legacy, Bush without fanfare probably stopped the destruction of two large countries and the deaths of over a billion people.

to be frank with you ...Americans tend to overrate their role in that theater of conflict...

[Gengis Khan]

Trade is fine. US and China has more trade with each other then either of those countries will ever have with India (which is why in my earlier post on this thread I said its ok for India to have oil deal with Iran..........)

I am talking about a strategic choice. Strategically speaking China it would seem has already chosen Pakistan as its ally. Their intentions are very obvious, they would not want another Asian military/economic powerhouse challenging them. The US until now had Pakistan as its ally. At times its trying to play both sides. Its not very happy with Pakistan and so is trying to get closer to India. Very soon India would have to make a strategic choice....... (as much as we would like US to make a choice).

China, you see, has already rolled the dice. Its no doubt increasing the volume of trade with India but at the same time is/was trying to preemptively.... block our access to oil supplies (and our answer to that was the Nuclear deal), prevent our entry in ASEAN, SCO, Shanghai 5, UNSC permanent seat (in this regard US is playing alongside China) etc. I think I am able to see the real Chinese intention.

[Gengis Khan]

Firstly it wasn't Rumsfield. It was the pro-Pak and anti-India Collin Powell and before him Richard Armitage. It was only to save the skin of America's favourite ally that Collin Powell and Richard Armitage came rushing to India when India was about to incinarate Pakistan after the Parliament was attacked. Armitage promised that he (his government) would personally make sure Pakistan would completely get rid of the terrorist infrastructure operating on its soil. He even patted on his pocket in front of the camera that he got a written assurance from Musharraf in that regard. Its was all just a scam meant to appease an angry India. Armitage (or US) never delivered on the promise.

Rumsfield had hardly any role to play in that conflict.

[painter]

I thought it was Rumsfield.

[MunnaP]

a small opinion if I may...

Colin Powell was/is not pro-pak or anti-India..He is pro USA only..He is a pragmatist...He looks after US' interests and nothing else..

[Gengis Khan]

"He is pro USA only."

I suppose you could argue that in case of any American politician. Even Nixon or Carter. From an Indian POV, Collin Powell was most definitely anti-Indian. Thankfully Bush and Rumsfield aren't. Even Amrmitage for whatever he was worth was at least not an anti-Indian. From whatever I know, behind closed doors Armitage was the one who threatened Pakistan if they did not comply. You could thank Colin Powell for being the reason why Indian offer of help just after 9/11 was by-passed and Pakistan was made the "front running ally". Something that India is still smarting over even now.