India nuclear news and discussion

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Pulikeshi
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Pulikeshi »

Nice to see the lungi dances are being allowed this special occasion! :P

What no :(( from Kimball & Lizard?

Great day for Trishanku (India) - hope the view of the sapta rishis is nice! :mrgreen:

Plan to sip the bubbly with friends and
a special toast for Unkil aka Vishwamitr (interesting what the name means is't it?)! :mrgreen:

PS: Will miss the whining on the Nooculr noose & discoosion thread.
sunilUpa
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by sunilUpa »

narayanan wrote:Item 4: What does this mean?
Consultations with India regarding proposed amendments will facilitate their effective implementation by India


What proposed amendments? Do they mean the NSG waiver itself or something else?
NSG may in future adopt a policy prohibiting transfer of ENR technology to non-NPT signatories...atleast that's what Kimbal bhai is :(( for..

Read kimbal bhai's take on waiver...
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by SureshP »

Obama catagorically stated just before the democratic convention that he supports the deal. Biden has been a prominent supporter all along.

Very few in the congress are going to vote against the STATED positions of thier parties Presidential teams just before the Presidential elections.

Its going to be fairly straight forward. Assuming the congress can meet before the elections.

After the elections things can get tricky.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Manny »

http://www.armscontrol.org/node/3340

Text, Analysis, and Response to NSG "Statement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation with India"

Note for Reporters by Daryl G. Kimball (202-463-8270 x107)

September 6, 2008

In an unprecedented move that will undermine the value of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the already beleaguered nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), the NSG reluctantly agreed today in Vienna to exempt NPT hold-out India from its guidelines that require comprehensive international safeguards as a condition of nuclear trade.

Click here for a PDF file of the NSG statement on India.

The decision is a nonproliferation disaster of historic proportions that will produce harm for decades to come. Contrary to the Orwellian claims of the George W. Bush administration, the India-specific exemption from NSG rules and safeguards standards does not "bring India into the nuclear nonproliferation mainstream."

Unlike 179 other countries, India has not signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. It continues to produce fissile material and expand its nuclear arsenal. As one of only three states never to have signed the NPT, India has not made a legally binding commitment to pursue nuclear disarmament.

.... More



==========================================================================

That must mean.. It's a good deal! :mrgreen: :rotfl:

but it also says

..

Japan noted that the exemption for India was decided on the condition that India continues to observe its commitments, especially its nuclear test moratorium pledge. Japan noted that if India resumed testing, "the logical consequence is to terminate trade." Most of the other statements also made this point.

Germany, and perhaps others, added that it expects India to take further nonproliferation and disarmament measures, including "entry into force of the CTBT and a termination of fissile material production for weapons."

Therefore, if India tests, the NSG would immediately meet in an emergency session (as already allowed for in the NSG guidelines) and the widespread expectation would be for all NSG states to terminate nuclear trade immediately. And despite the Indian government's false representations to its public and parliament, neither the United States nor other responsible nuclear suppliers are going to feel obliged to respect earlier fuel supply guarantees or help find some other country to supply India with nuclear fuel if India tests for any reason or violates its safeguards commitments.
Last edited by Manny on 07 Sep 2008 03:27, edited 1 time in total.
vsudhir
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by vsudhir »

Very neat text.... US lawyers need to worry about future biz if this is the future of agreements onlee... who said outsourcing is da biggest threat to a lot of services? Its clarity, IMHO.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Arun_S »

JE Menon wrote:The BJP's position is finely tuned and well calibrated. It is an opposition position, not a government position. It must be seen in that light, because that is what it had to do. They have gone to remarkable lengths to reiterate that their position is not anti-American but rather that it is anti-erosion of strategic autonomy.

As such, their emphasis in recent months has been less and less on technological issues (the inadequacy of the Shakti series, for instance) than on the potential losses to be incurred if we test after years of investment in the sector. This is not a particularly strong argument, and we can be quite certain they know that. But it is one that is convenient because, should they come to power, it is a position they can comfortably retreat from as developments show that the investments will not come under serious threat as the sanctioneers, for lack of a better word, will effectively have to strike at their own companies to some considerable degree.

Please note that, as was repeatedly stated on this forum, the BJP did not put anything more than rhetorical spokes in the wheel - all the while offering reassuring noises, through Mishra in particular. We can predict with a fair degree of confidence that the BJP's aversion to the deal will decline to the point of enthusiasm in the coming years. I hope that the process begins soon... Some recent appearances by their point men on TV have hardly been edifying.

On the other hand, the BJP is not exactly long experienced at being the primary opposition party... So rough edges may be expected. But we should refrain from looking too closely. The Congress does not exactly come through with shining colours either. They could have managed the whole thing with a little more finesse, if they looked at a little more of the horizon than their petrifying ideological blinkers allowed... But then again, they too cannot be viewed monolithically.

On the whole, all's well that ends well - at least the way I personally see it.

Now to watch the commies deal with the joker in their pack: Karat.

N, absolutely... The Americans are certainly getting itchy fingers on the other side as well... The timing could not have been more exquisite... NSG Waiver for India, Mr. 10% for Pakisatan. Each gets what it deserves.
JEM: Nicely summed up.

It is a major milestone for India.

We should now focus our energy on steps needed to skirt Hyde and 'seek' {sic} a path to peg the strategic weapons hole. It will do well for Prime Minister MM Singh and DAE/Anil Kakodkar to complete the nuclear circle, and in the next 2 months announce funds for new facilities for Indian nuclear weapons stewardship starting with Laser Ignition Facility (LIF) and three "Weapons Computing Facilities". That $2-5 Billion investment will balance the $100 Billion investment in 40GWe LWR civil nuclear power (over next 6 years) plus $300 Billion fuel investment over many years. Separation of nuclear facilities between civil and weapons research will IMHO entail cost of ~10-15 Billion in duplication of facilities and skilled people.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Prem »

Pulikeshi wrote:Nice to see the lungi dances are being allowed this special occasion! :P

What no :(( from Kimball & Lizard?

:

PS: Will miss the whining on the Nooculr noose & discoosion thread.
Kimbal and Lizard

Dil ke arman aansooye me beh gaye
Jindagi ik "Bharas" ban kar reh gaye
NPA ke kisse addure reh gaye

Shayd NSG phir ENR ban kare
Es Waiver ko ye soch kar yeh sah gaye

Dil ke aarman .....
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by sanjaykumar »

Narayanan wrote

The whole thing is predicated on long-term US-India Strategic Partnership, so the COTUS can still be spoilers, and it's still an open game. The Chinese Lobby in the US will be energized, and remember that they own half the DC Think Tanks (like ACUS) and 2/3 of COTUS and much of Foggy Bottom, plus War Malt and JC Penney.


Is this COTUS interruptus?
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by CRamS »

Rangudu wrote:I think we can expect the following immediate reactions from the anti-India groups:

1. There will be news that TSP is working on a nuclear sub, SLCM, SLBM or all of the above. That will be courtesy of the Dragon.

2. TSPigLets will launch attacks on temples or other Hindu sites, BARC/TIFR or some major national symbol.

3. NPAs inside US will release real or imaginary dirt on India, order arrests of people supplying dual use tech etc. as a last ditch attempt to thwart the 123 clearance

4. Other anti-India lobbies in US will use usual cleavages such as EJ issues to rake up muck on India
Points 1,3,4 can be undertaken by anti-India groups no matter what positon India is in, strong, powerful, & self confident or abjectly weak and pussilanimous as it is today. But its frightening and disconcerting and rather shameful that TSP can undertake #2 with impunity and at any time of their choosing. How does this deal enhance India's ability to thwart TSP, espcially given the constraints this deal places (directly or indirectly) on India's strategic development?
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by putnanja »

Manny wrote:http://www.armscontrol.org/node/3340

Text, Analysis, and Response to NSG "Statement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation with India"

Note for Reporters by Daryl G. Kimball (202-463-8270 x107)

Japan noted that the exemption for India was decided on the condition that India continues to observe its commitments, especially its nuclear test moratorium pledge. Japan noted that if India resumed testing, "the logical consequence is to terminate trade." Most of the other statements also made this point.

Germany, and perhaps others, added that it expects India to take further nonproliferation and disarmament measures, including "entry into force of the CTBT and a termination of fissile material production for weapons."

And Kimball also mentions this in his article
Enrichment and Reprocessing Transfers: International safeguards cannot prevent the replication or possible use of sensitive fuel cycle technologies transferred to India for "civilian" purposes for use in its military sector. The NSG should have explicitly banned such technology transfers. India Paragraph 3.a in the NSG statement on India maintains that Paragraphs 6 & 7 of the current NSG guidelines will continue to apply. This means that NSG states must continue to exercise "utmost restraint" with respect to transfers of sensitive dual use technologies and enrichment and reprocessing technologies to India or any other state.

In addition, in the course of the NSG meeting, the United States confirmed that participating NSG governments expressed assurances that they did not intend to transfer enrichment or reprocessing technology to India.
Therefore, if India tests, the NSG would immediately meet in an emergency session (as already allowed for in the NSG guidelines) and the widespread expectation would be for all NSG states to terminate nuclear trade immediately. And despite the Indian government's false representations to its public and parliament, neither the United States nor other responsible nuclear suppliers are going to feel obliged to respect earlier fuel supply guarantees or help find some other country to supply India with nuclear fuel if India tests for any reason or violates its safeguards commitments.
Even I was thinking the same when I went through the draft document. The 3rd statement clearly says " Based on commitments and actions mentioned above", and in #2, the last commitment says " Continuing its unilateral moratorium on testing". So does it mean that if any commitment in #2 is violated, then the approval doesn't hold?
Last edited by putnanja on 07 Sep 2008 04:09, edited 2 times in total.
CRamS
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by CRamS »

narayanan wrote: So the game is far from one. We may be euphoric because our criterion was whether the NSG clears it clean, which clears the way for Russia etc., but after the herrowic 48-hour marathon performance by the GOTUS with WHOTUS on the phone etc. etc., to get what should have been done with a 5-minute vote on the first morning, there is no way that India, being India , is going to go and start nuclear commerce until the COTUS approves it.
But India, being India can be counted on to do this? :-)
narayanan wrote: Time to start attacking, IMO. The world has recognized that right is on our side, no need to be shy any more. Expose the China-Pakistan perfidy as NOW revealed by Reed, and ask why Kimball and Sokolski and all their gang didn't tell the US people about this long ago. Start exposing the Chinese PLA penetration of US Think Tanks like ACUS - just take a look at their staff/ Visiting Researcher rosters and u'll c what I mean. Look at Chinese penetration of COTUS. Publish lists of the NPAs and their lack of honesty, the real victims being the US taxpayer and the Indian civilian and soldier who have fought off the Chicom terrorist threat.

Expose the Chinese hand in the FOIL, the "Coalition Against Genocide", the Phillippines "islamist" terrorism, Iran's missiles, the China-NoKo connection, and generally the China-Islam conspiracy against democracy and freedom.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Sanjay M »

Was it clear from the outset that GOI would have to make some statement committing to a moratorium on testing?

Anyway, now China loses its soft power advantage over us, and will in the future be left only with hardest-hard-power (ie. nukes) to crudely push us up against the wall with. They've lost their Sun Tsu options against us.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by bala »

Kudos to team INDIA for the NSG approval. US President George W. Bush and US Secretary of State Condi Rice will go down in history as the ones who finally put an end to NPT and the hot air think tanks. Great day to rejoice. I was worried about the 3 pipsqueak countries aided and abetted by China, but then US showed everyone who the real superpower in the world is when it comes to important decisions like NSG waiver for India.

The COTUS will have to vote it up or down. I don't think the democrats would want to alienate India. Obama has made remarks against TSP and he seems to be keen to take the fight into TSP.

Finally things are happening for a better US India relationship. Cheers to everyone who kept the faith.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by RajeshA »

This is a repost.

Since there is going to be a lot of talk on INFCIRC 254 rev.9 §16, I'm posting it below.
Consultations
16.
(a) Suppliers should maintain contact and consult through regular channels on matters
connected with the implementation of these Guidelines.

(b) Suppliers should consult, as each deems appropriate, with other governments
concerned on specific sensitive cases, to ensure that any transfer does not contribute to
risks of conflict or instability.

(c) Without prejudice to sub-paragraphs (d) to (f) below:
− In the event that one or more suppliers believe that there has been a violation of
supplier/recipient understanding resulting from these Guidelines, particularly in the
case of an explosion of a nuclear device
, or illegal termination or violation of IAEA
safeguards by a recipient, suppliers should consult promptly through diplomatic
channels in order to determine and assess the reality and extent of the alleged
violation. Suppliers are also encouraged to consult where nuclear material or
nuclear fuel cycles activity undeclared to the IAEA or a nuclear explosive activity
is revealed.
− Pending the early outcome of such consultations, suppliers will not act in a manner
that could prejudice any measure that may be adopted by other suppliers concerning
their current contacts with that recipient. Each supplier should also consider
suspending transfers of Trigger List items while consultations under 16(c) are
ongoing, pending supplier agreement on an appropriate response.
− Upon the findings of such consultations, the suppliers, bearing in mind Article XII
of the IAEA Statute, should agree on an appropriate response and possible action,
which could include the termination of nuclear transfers to that recipient.

(d) If a recipient is reported by the IAEA to be in breach of its obligation to comply with
its safeguards agreement, suppliers should consider the suspension of the transfer of
Trigger List items to that State whilst it is under investigation by the IAEA. For the
purposes of this paragraph, “breach” refers only to serious breaches of proliferation
concern;

(e) Suppliers support the suspension of transfers of Trigger List items to States that violate
their nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards obligations, recognising that the
responsibility and authority for such decisions rests with national governments or the
United Nations Security Council. In particular, this is applicable in situations where
the IAEA Board of Governors takes any of the following actions:
− finds, under Article XII.C of the Statute, that there has been non-compliance in the
recipient, or requires a recipient to take specific actions to bring itself into
compliance with its safeguards obligations;
− Decides that the Agency is not able to verify that there has been no diversion of
nuclear material required to be safeguarded, including situations where actions
taken by a recipient have made the IAEA unable to carry out its safeguards mission
in that State. An extraordinary Plenary meeting will take place within one month of the Board of
Governors’ action, at which suppliers will review the situation, compare national
policies and decide on an appropriate response.

(f) The provisions of subparagraph (e) above do not apply to transfers under paragraph 4
(b) of the Guidelines.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Sean »

I still don't understand why China didn't stop the deal? It had already lost a lot by opposing the deal, as evidenced by India's reaction. What leverage did US have over China?
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Rangudu »

It was not Unkil that got China to back off. That's all I'll say.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Santosh »

There is nothing about building a strategic fuel reserve. Does it mean that it has been left to the bilateral agreement with individual suppliers on how much can be supplied? It would be safe to assume that in the event of India conducting a test the supplier would demand the stock back. Is it safe to say that at that point India would kick the IAEA inspection team out and the facility would be off limits for inspection?
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by RajeshA »

This is a repost:
What §16 imports is
- Violation of an Agreement
As nuclear testing will not be in the bilateral deals with Russia or France, any testing would not mean a violation of agreement. Even in the case of 123 Agreement, a nuclear testing would not be a violation of the agreement, even if US would be forced to terminate the agreement.

- Consultation only when a Supplier reports a Violation of the understanding
If India has only 'trustworthy' suppliers who do not consider it worthwhile to report such a violation, no action would be taken. So India should try to have agreements only with suppliers, who can swallow nuclear testing by India. It might not come to that, as nuclear testing will not be in the bilateral agreement as being a case of violation anyway.

However as §16 is invoked in the Context of the Waiver, which states that any Participating Member can call for consultations, this advantage has been taken away.

- The Suppliers have to arrive at a Consensus on Consequences and Joint Actions
If USA says, there has been a violation and all nuclear supplies should stop, and Russia or France think otherwise, then of course there is no consensus, so no consequences.

- IAEA References and Consequences
Upon the findings of such consultations, the suppliers, bearing in mind Article XII
of the IAEA Statute, should agree on an appropriate response and possible action,
which could include the termination of nuclear transfers to that recipient.
Article XII of IAEA Statute: Agency Safeguards
7. In the event of non- compliance and failure by the recipient State or States to take requested corrective steps within a reasonable time, to suspend or terminate assistance and withdraw any materials and equipment made available by the Agency or a member in furtherance of the project.
It is questionable whether nuclear testing as such constitutes a violation of the IAEA Safeguards, as the safeguards are active only on imported fuel and reactors. If the testing has been done with fuel from the strategic program, where IAEA Safeguards are not operating, there would be no violation of Article XII.

As far as consequences is concerned, they are dependent on certain findings (which have to be arrived at on the basis of Consensus). Secondly there is some room between should and must with regard to responsibility of the other suppliers. Russia and France may not wish to go along with the rest of the pack, and hence no consensus either on the findings nor a necessity to follow suit with sanctions.

Conclusions: As far as I see it, nuclear testing does not mean automatically NSG Sanctions. As long as the word Testing does not appear in the Waiver, and all Suppliers are not forced to terminate their bilateral agreements with India should India conduct nuclear testing, Nuclear Testing Ban has not been multilateralized.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by RajeshA »

Rangudu wrote:It was not Unkil that got China to back off. That's all I'll say.
You mean Zardari ordered them to back off! :shock:
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by samuel »

RaviBG,

India unambiguously signed on to a "no first test" policy.

The NSG waiver says, cleanly and unconditionally, that they expect us to keep up our unilateral moratorium as per our voluntary commitment. You can skip the unilateral and voluntary, the idea is moratorium and commitment. There can be a voluntary or unilateral withdrawal if unkil signs off. Thus, when we test, if we test in the future, Unkil won't be surprised and will have okayed it, like it okays Israel's bombing runs once in a while. The only time I can realistically see that happen is when he needs us to bark at China.

But this is probably alright. We finally are a nuclear weapons state with non-nuclear weapon's status. What's more important is all the electricity we are going to get is now at hand. We should be importing American or French thorium reactors a few years down the road too.

S
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Sanjay M »

I still want to hear more about the implications of our "moratorium" statement.
Was it planned from the start, that we would have to make a "moratorium" statement?

Isn't this worse than CTBT, which at least had a "security exemption"? This NSG waiver doesn't have any security exemption, does it?

Are we then left totally dependent on the lack of geo-political unanimity among the consensus-driven NSG as our only protection in the event we're forced to test?

With that in mind, then would we have to wait for some moment of deep international discord, during which to position our N-test?

NSG-waiver then may effectively block the Atlanticists from re-jihadizing SouthAsia, as revival of jihad against Moscow and New Delhi would consolidate an alliance between both governments over the NSG waiver issue.
But it also means that India must never take too much of a tilt against Moscow or Paris, because these are probably the only 2 suppliers we could rely upon in a last-resort situation following our N-testing.

So maybe we do face a bit more of a strategic straitjacket than before.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by RajeshA »

Sanjay M Ji,

I believe India would sooner or later, maybe in 3 years or so, become herself a member of NSG, then we wouldn't need others to do our vetoing.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Sanjay M »

Rangudu wrote:It was not Unkil that got China to back off. That's all I'll say.
Putin got China to back off?


I didn't think anybody had enough leverage with China on a crucial issue like this.

The only thing I can think of, is that China is relying upon a healthy India to keep Dalai's followers in check, and that a crumbling India would only allow the entry of external powers who will agitate the Tibet issue. Just like how China doesn't like the idea of an independent Kashmir becoming a springboard for external actors. Keep India healthy, and the Tibet issue stays dormant. Not so different than Pak blackmail that a crumbling Pak will become a jihadi nest.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Sean »

samuel wrote:RaviBG,
We should be importing American or French thorium reactors a few years down the road too.
S
Diversify as much as possible, with Russia being a major part of the mix. India should collaborate with Russia, USA, and France on thorium reactor technology but build them itself. This way issue of return of reactors does not arise when the relationship goes sour.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by enqyoob »

But India, being India can be counted on to do this? :-)


No, INDIA won't do that.

And CRAMS, u being u, won't do much beyond what u do here (no comment due to Voluntary Moratorium etc. required for Waiver of Sanctions by Adminullahs)

But I being I, could, may, and will probably do, whether anyone else helps or just sits around :(( :((

Cheers.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by putnanja »

Thumbs up, nails frayed: Delhi sent demarche to Beijing, Bush called Hu
Thumbs up, nails frayed: Delhi sent demarche to Beijing, Bush called Hu
Pranab Dhal Samanta Posted online: Sunday, September 07, 2008 at 0111 hrs Print EmailVienna, September 6:The Nuclear Suppliers Group, the 45 countries that govern global nuclear trade and who first came together to punish India after its 1974 atomic tests, today changed the very rules they had set to accept the reality of a rising India. The NSG signed off on an unprecedented waiver that makes India the only country outside the NPT to have a nuclear weapons programme and be able to conduct full civil nuclear cooperation with the international community.

It was also a rare occasion where US and Russia — now bitterly adversarial over the conflict in Georgia — worked together with two other nuclear powers to get a waiver for India. And yet, it did not come without fierce resistance. China, which seemed to threaten the entire process yesterday, stood up after the consensus decision was reached this morning here and read out a statement stating its “national position” that essentially urged countries to strive for a balance between non-proliferation and promoting civil nuclear energy cooperation. It also hoped that this decision would stand the test of time and that the NSG would address “aspirations” of all parties seeking peaceful use of nuclear power.

Last night, China had delivered a surprise by threatening to leave, objecting to the manner in which US was “forcing” a consensus. Clearly, Beijing decided to make its dissent open and, very quickly, countermeasures were put in place. Closely coordinating with the US, New Delhi issued a strong demarche to China in Beijing late last night. The same was conveyed to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi this morning, which was gearing up for Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi’s visit starting tomorrow. Sources said South Block worked through the night passing on the tough message to Beijing that its position was contrary to assurances it had given at the political level that it wouldn’t come in the way of an NSG consensus for India.

Washington simultaneously stepped up gears and US President George W. Bush contacted his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao asking him not to block the waiver. Sources said “everyone in the US government below the President” leaned on someone in the Chinese government in a closely coordinated effort. In short, the US “pulled out all stops,” including reminding the Chinese of the evidence Washington had of its past proliferation activities, particularly in Pakistan.


Bush, along with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns, incrementally leaned on their counterparts in the club of six holdout countries — Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland — to accept the waiver on the basis of the statement on disarmament made by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday.

As a result of these efforts, it was decided to change the draft and include a reference to Mukherjee’s statement in the final decision which was taken today. While there were dogged efforts to include a provision that would cease cooperation with India in case it detonates a nuclear device, New Delhi stood firm and Washington did not press further. Both India and the US maintained that Paragraph 16 of the NSG guidelines that provide for NSG consultation in such circumstances — where NSG could by consensus suspend further trade — was sufficient. This rule, incidentally, also applies to all countries of the NSG.

On this note, the meeting ended last night at 1 am with countries taking back the new draft for internal discussions. In the end, it was a political call taken by the sceptic countries not to continue with their opposition, particularly after the diplomatic offensive mounted by the US at the highest levels in coordination with India. While the final decision is still to be released, sources confirmed to The Sunday Express that there is no mention of the “testing” word in the draft.

There are changes in language and phraseology in some places but no major amendment except for the reference to Mukherjee’s statement that was included in the revised draft circulated a few days before the NSG plenary started its meeting on Thursday. Officials said Germany, the NSG chair, will now send the decision to IAEA Director General Mohammed ElBaradei by Monday who will then circulate it as an INFCIRC (information circular) document among all members.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by V_Raman »

i think india itself might have gotten china to back off. india has multiple levers IMO

-- tibet issue escalation
-- more potent deployment to the border
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Gerard »

Thus spake "My other brother Daryl":
Because of the negotiations were tough and the real differences not fully resolved, there will likely be serious differences between India and most of the NSG about the interpretation of what the guidelines allow and don't allow and what the consequences of any violation of India's nonproliferation and disarmament commitments would be.
"Most" of the NSG doesn't supply nuclear fuel or technology and they can all jump into the Danube. "Serious differences" with Ireland and New Zealand or China "aren't worth a jug of warm spit" (to paraphrase LBJ).
The NSG statement on India does not meet ACA's standards or that of a large number of NSG states,


India must be quaking at the wrath of the ACA

:rotfl:
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by CRamS »

Sanjay M:

My pessimistic view is that its over for India on the strategic front, notwithstanding optimistic interpretations of the deal by the likes of many here. There is no way for India to improve upon its designs. And even with a nationalist govt like BJP coming to power, I can't see them testing in the immediate future, it doesn't make sense. Even Anhishek Singhvi said so to Bharka. Thus, after the deal is operationalized, 10-15 years down the road, will any Indian govt have the b@lls to anger the world community by testing and inviting their wrath? Current sanctions on Iran and its demonization will look like halcyon days of yore in comparison.

With India now firmly in Unkil's camp as a yes man under his tutelage, a well-deserved payback for his heavy lefting at NSG, it remains to be seen how Unkil manages India's relationship with TSP. For a start, Unkil will demand some give from India to TSP on Kashmir.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by putnanja »

US may change law for last-mile sprint up the Hill
US may change law for last-mile sprint up the Hill
Pranab Dhal Samanta Posted online: Sunday, September 07, 2008 at 0113 hrs Print EmailVienna, September 6:The US hardball diplomacy moves from Vienna to Washington.

Faced with a September 26 deadline for the US Congress to ratify the 123 agreement and thus, seal the deal, the Bush Administration is most likely left with little choice but to introduce an India-specific Bill to amend the US Atomic Energy Act.

Reason: The Hyde Act and the US Atomic Energy Act require the agreement to sit on Capitol Hill for 30 days and then give the Congress 60 days to take an “up and down” vote (a yes-or-no vote without any amendments).

The US Congress starts its 17-day session on Monday and although sessions can be extended if House leaders want it, indications are it’s unlikely that the Congress will hold a lameduck session in November given the Presidential elections.

So, a standalone Bill — specifically for the 123 agreement — is the most plausible route to fast-forward the entire process. There’s one catch, though. For, when a Bill is moved, there may be a call for amendments to the 123 which could complicate matters given the non-proliferation lobby on the Hill, including House International Relations Committee Chairman Howard Berman, who released the communication between the State Department and the Congress a day before the NSG meet.

The Bush Administration is banking on the strong bipartisan support the nuclear initiative enjoys in the US Congress. Another argument it could use is that, technically, India can start cooperation with other NSG countries since it now has the waiver. Although sources said India would not, in the larger political interest, like the US to be kept out of high-tech trade with India — to ensure permanency of the waiver — agreements with Russia and France are ready and are likely to be signed within the next couple of months. This is where pressure will increase on the US Congress to act soon.

For the Bush Administration, the immediate step, however, is to submit seven Presidential determinations that certify completion of all pre-requisites stipulated by the Hyde Act. These include the credible separation plan, the NSG waiver, completion of all legal steps towards a safeguards agreement with IAEA, progress on discussions with IAEA on an Additional Protocol.

It’s learnt that these determinations are ready and will be submitted to the US Congress early next week along with the process of moving the Bill. Assuming these steps are completed, the two foreign relations committees in both chambers will carry out hearings. One is headed by Berman, the other by Joe Biden, a strong advocate of the deal. Once the committees clear them, they will be brought before the full Congress for a vote.

According to understanding between India and the US, New Delhi will sign the safeguards agreement only after the 123 agreement is over.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by enqyoob »

Thus, when we test, if we test in the future, Unkil won't be surprised and will have okayed it, like it okays Israel's bombing runs once in a while.


There is an entirely different possibility. It may be the US that tests. Let me just put it this way: "Like the Lizard tested".

When Kimball :(( :(( and :twisted: :twisted: about "179 countries" blah-blah, he conveniently ignores the fact that his own country, the US, outright rejected the CTBT, has unilaterally withdrawn from the ABM treaty, and is effectively withdrawing from the SALT and the START, and anyway, SALT and START don't deal with TNW.

So now, re: CTBT, India and US are only different in that US signed by rejected in its Senate, and India has not signed, so has not rejected in its Parliament. BOTH are on "voluntary moratorium". BOTH may decide that the Sovereign National Interest compels a test series in view of altered security imperatives.

Now consider WHY the US has not ratified CTBT - it's because the "test now!" lobby in the US is faaaar more powerful than their brothers in India, and are kept down only by feeding them huge amounts of $$ for National Ignition Facility, National TerraFLOP Computer Facility, NMD etc. etc. All without live testing of nukes. The price paid for not testing is that the $$ spent on nuke weapon DEVELOPMENT EXCEEDS the peak levels during the Cold War. (source: Scientific American, a couple of years back).

One should carefully listen to presentations by top US DOE types to understand how close they are to actually doing live tests - they make such great contortions to deny that they are preparing to do one that it is clear that they don't expect the listeners to believe them.

Do your own extrapolation and see where this is leading. They NEED to test at some time. So does India. And the POTUS can decide that both are OK for continued US-India strategic partnership.

If the Lizard does what we expect it to do sooner or later (a "surreptitious" test series with TSP and NoKo), or if Russia decides that it's time to do some fireworks, I think that will be used as the excuse.

BTW, what exactly is Kimball's burr in the musharraf? Chinese funding? It has to be...


Added later...

The US official security policy as it stands now envisages PRE-EMPTIVE strikes against terrorist s and anyone who shelters them. It also envisages the use of WMD in those pre-emptive strikes. Put those together, and you see why the US will test small, high-precision weapons probably sooner than later. These are the same "solutions" that India needs.

Big nukes are for a different time, different war, different adversary. So having 10,000 megaton weapons is no good if a terrorist cell in some country is found, and needs to be taken out right away. Or as response to a blast on, say, a military base that kills 1000 soldiers and relatives.

What is needed then is a set of precision weapons, that ensure total wipeout of some 30 different targets in some distant place with no warning and say 30 minutes total response time, while minimizing the fallout radius. You bet the US can and will justify this as a PeaceKeeper or MercyMission.

AS the old saying goes:
Give Peace A Chance... Reconstruct Pakistan
Last edited by enqyoob on 07 Sep 2008 04:41, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Gerard »

China, which seemed to threaten the entire process yesterday, stood up after the consensus decision was reached this morning here and read out a statement stating its “national position” that essentially urged countries to strive for a balance between non-proliferation and promoting civil nuclear energy cooperation
Pity that an Indian official was not present to juveniley cough "AQ Khan" and "Chinese Warhead" during that little speech.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by samuel »

Sanjay M,

The moratorium showed up right during 123, i.e., if we tested ever the deal was off. The idea was that the deal won't stop us per se from testing, but if we did test, the deal's over. Even the Prime Minister said as much in parliament, if we listen carefully to what he said.

If we test, there will be consultations as per 123, an emergency meet in NSG. There have been suggestions for building a reserve in India, diversify among suppliers, and other ways to mitigate the risk, but what it says on paper, and has said consistently is,

if India tests, it -- the deal -- is over.

In reality, I believe that unless the US knows and has approved our testing, we won't. That would be a difference from the past, where the US was supposedly surprised.

Of course, the US might test too, or any one of these other nations, for whatever reason. We'll have to wait for them, i.e. we have a:

No first-test policy,


I am not technically well-versed enough to say whether or not we need to test to maintain a robust deterrent (or minimum credible deterrent). It remains however, that the US has exponentially more tests than India and probably is much more proficient in weapons simulation than we do. They probably have better boundary conditions or observational constraints to go further, or entirely new models that allow smaller, laboratory analogs, as testbeds.

If any so-called NWS does test, then this deal is moot to trigger our own tests. If they don't then the only way we can test is if the superpower lets us. In this way, the voluntary moratorium is more a moratorium than voluntary.

S
Last edited by samuel on 07 Sep 2008 05:01, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by samuel »

Sean wrote:
samuel wrote:RaviBG,
We should be importing American or French thorium reactors a few years down the road too.
S
Diversify as much as possible, with Russia being a major part of the mix. India should collaborate with Russia, USA, and France on thorium reactor technology but build them itself. This way issue of return of reactors does not arise when the relationship goes sour.
Sean, your idea is tactically correct of course. But, i must apologize first. I was being sarcastic and didn't say so in less subtler ways. The idea that we, India, have to import thorium technology or reactors over our own methods is, to say the least, disgusting. We are doing very well in that space and the govt. needs to do everything to accelerate our competitive advantage! If you caught on to that, then double apology!
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Gerard »

India freed from nuclear trade ban
The Australian government says it will trade nuclear technology with India but will not provide uranium.
SILEX technology would actually be preferable to Uranium. :mrgreen:
The Nuclear Suppliers Group was set up in 1974 when India exploded a bomb using plutonium from Canada.
Didn't know Canada was in the business of selling weapons grade plutonium
:rotfl:
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Gerard »

sanjaykumar
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by sanjaykumar »

Washington simultaneously stepped up gears and US President George W. Bush contacted his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao asking him not to block the waiver. Sources said “everyone in the US government below the President” leaned on someone in the Chinese government in a closely coordinated effort. In short, the US “pulled out all stops,” including reminding the Chinese of the evidence Washington had of its past proliferation activities, particularly in Pakistan.




http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/358268.html


A wise one did post that the US probably threatened to yank some skeletons out of the Chinese closet. :)
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by Singha »

there is some kinda meeting ongoing about the Noko issue.a dark file or two
may have been shared there...

China, US begin fresh talks on N Korea nuke issue

Beijing, Sep 6 (PTI) China today began fresh round of talks with United States on the North Korean nuclear issue after receiving signals that Pyongyang may be in the process of reassembling the Yonbgyon nuclear reactor, which had earlier been dismantled under a six-nation agreement.

The meeting began in the backdrop of another meeting being held in Vienna where the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group is engaged in discussing the India-US nuclear deal.

China had earlier said that the India-US deal would influence other nuclear energy related debates concerning countries like North Korea and Iran.

China's chief envoy in the nuclear talks, Wu Dawei today held a meeting in Beijing with the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill to discuss North Korea's objection to the system of verification drafted during the six-party talks.

Hill also met South Korean and Japanese envoys yesterday to find ways on implementing the verification mechanism at the earliest, sources said.

There was no clear sign of a North Korean envoy arriving in Beijing for talks with the US and Chinese representatives.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted an unidentified diplomat as saying North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Kye-gwan, had not arrived in Beijing as was expected.

Hill told reporters that he was open to the idea of discussing with the North Korean envoy the objections raised by Pyongyang on the verification mechanism. PTI
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by disha »

John Snow wrote:and we gave heavy water to China
No. We took heavy water from China. That was one chankian move!
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Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

Post by achy »

The waiver is not entirely clean and conditional.

2g is especially problematic. Avoidance of 2g would have been ideal. Even otherwise, India should have insisted on voluntary and unilateral rather then just unilateral. I think considering the eagerness of US, they would have got away with it.

Whatever spin anyone gives, this deal has clear and unambiguous implications in terms of testing, which means for near future our capabilities are capped. I especially fear for ATV.

Secondly it brings India's b***s firmly in hand of US. US has shown how it squeezes, when it has to. It remains to be seen what US has to extract for all its labour.

I think,to retain the strategic autonomy, expressly pass a law that any treaty or commitment with a sovereign state must be passed by both upper and lower house. This will ensure that India will have sufficient protection, if someone tries to press India's b***s.

It remains to be seen whether french and russ will supply ENR. Although, I think they probably will.

Also, the game is not over yet. Expect thousand clones of medha, arundhati, etc. which means most of India will have no nuclear power plant.

Overall the deal is B+ for the time being. I am not so sure of long term. But as keynes says, in long term, we are all dead.
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