G. Balachandran
India and NSG: Approaches to Indian membership
India’s admission to the NSG has, as on the previous times when the India-US Nuclear Deal and the NSG exemption of 2008 were under discussion, caused many of those opposed to the Indian nuclear programme to come out with various policy suggestions on how to get India to agree on additional conditionalities. In addition there is a move by many to use the Indian admission for membership as a means to legitimize the illegitimate nuclear commerce between China and Pakistan. All these are predicated on the assumption that India is desperate to join the NSG. India should reject any move by the nonproliferation lobby to devise a criterion-based admission procedure.
Examining the Prospects of South Korea “Going Nuclear”
In the aftermath of recent North Korean actions and threats, there has been in recent times some open debates and discussions about the prospects of South Korea “going nuclear” i.e. developing its own nuclear weapons. This brief argues that short of abrogating all its bilateral and multilateral treaties and obligations with heavy costs, the prospects of it doing so in the short/medium term are not that easy and may not be cost effective.
China-Pakistan Nuclear Cooperation: Unclear Facts
There is a lot of inaccuracy and assumption in reporting Chasma 3 nuclear cooperation between China-Pakistan. It is not conceivable in engineering terms as to how a 300 MWe Chasma 3 can be transformed into a 1,000 MWe project.
India’s Defence Budget: Trends Beyond the Numbers
In the larger scheme of things, fiscal prudence is a good trait and the reduction in deficits desirable, yet an overtly ambitious approach of reducing deficits into a number game may lead to developments that may hurt us not only in the security arena but in economic growth as well.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and Civil Nuclear Liability
The Right of Recourse embedded in the Indian nuclear liability law has ensured that more than four years after the NSG granted exemption to enable nuclear commerce with India, India has not been able to finalise a single contract with any of the countries with which it has signed nuclear cooperation agreements for any nuclear facility.
Opening the NATO Supply Route: Does Pakistan have any Option?
Unless Pakistan opens the NATO supply route, it is very unlikely that the US will transfer any coalition support funds, thus creating serious trouble for the aid-dependent Pakistani economy.
Should India Give US Nuclear Suppliers a Reprieve from the Indian Nuclear Liability Law?
If India ratifies the CSC, both the right of the operator for recourse against the supplier and any third party action against the supplier would be nullified, thus providing American companies a singular advantage.
India, ENR and NSG
Unless the NSG is willing to modify its guidelines to allow ENR transfers to India, India should not seek admission to NSG membeship even if offered.
