what is this India--U.S.nuclear deal ?

Question

why it is also refered as 1-2-3 deal ?

what it has for India ?

implications associated with ?

possible ramifications ?

at what cost ?

Answer 1

Critics say the initiative could spur the spread of nuclear weapons and sends the wrong message to countries like Iran as they pursue atomic programs. India built its bombs outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which provides civil nuclear trade in exchange for a pledge from nations not to pursue nuclear weapons.

The deal still must be approved by international regulatory bodies and then face review by Congress. Friday's announcement came after months of often frustrating technical talks on a broad deal that was struck two years ago.

The text of the accord was not released, but negotiators said they had settled the thorniest issue: American reluctance to let India reprocess spent atomic fuel — a key step in making atomic weapons.

Nicholas Burns, the chief U.S. diplomat at the talks, told reporters the U.S. agreed to an Indian offer to build a reprocessing facility safeguarded by U.N. inspectors that would prevent fuel from being used to build nuclear bombs.

Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, when asked whether the deal would allow India to divert supplies to its weapons program, said: "We are not using it as an excuse to enhance our strategic capabilities. The earlier these countries forget that, the better it is."

Opponents say the extra fuel the measure provides could boost India's nuclear bomb stockpile by freeing up its domestic uranium for weapons. That, they say, could spark a nuclear arms race in Asia.

Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., said the Bush administration "has apparently reversed course and decided to allow India to reprocess all U.S.-origin fuel. This is a huge departure from the president's long-standing policy, and Congress is going to want to know how his policies and his actions can possibly match up."

But Burns said the deal will "liberate our two countries for a new engagement" after 30 years of tense relations over nuclear matters. It also will likely lead to increased defense cooperation and sales of U.S. military technology, he said.

President Bush praised the deal as "deepening our strategic partnership with India, a vital world leader."

In New Delhi, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan said India has "settled for what we think is more than adequate."

The agreement apparently did not address another contentious point: India's demand to be allowed to continue carrying out nuclear tests. "If there is a test, we will come to that later on," Narayanan told reporters.

Answer 2

From what I've read (and remember) it's basically a "nod, nod, wink, wink" deal. Where the U.S. neither confirms nor denies India's nuclear program outside of energy.