India’s Atomic Energy Chief Warns that U.S. Nuke Deal Could Compromise Indian Interests

Indian Atomic Energy Commission Chief Anil Kakodkar warned yesterday that the planned Indo-U.S. nuclear cooperation deal could undermine his country’s strategic interests, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Feb. 6).

“We cannot allow India's strategic interest to be determined by others,” he said, weeks before President George W. Bush is expected to visit India.

The deal requires India to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities. Apparent U.S. efforts to have India classify its fast-breeder reactor program as civilian, blocking its use in military programs, faces opposition from Indian nuclear scientists.

“Both from the point of view of maintaining long-term energy security and for maintaining a credible deterrent, the fast-breeder program just cannot be put on the civilian list. This would amount to getting shackled and India certainly cannot compromise,” Kakodkar said (Nirmala George, Associated Press/The Hindu, Feb. 8).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.