Bush usher India into Nuclear club

gobbler afflicted · 03-02-2006, 03:01 PM

Bush Ushers India Into Nuclear Club AP - 58 minutes ago
NEW DELHI - Reversing decades of U.S. policy, President Bush ushered India into the world's exclusive nuclear club Thursday with a landmark agreement to share nuclear reactors, fuel and expertise with this energy-starved nation in return for its acceptance of international safeguards. Eight months in the making, the accord would end India's long isolation as a nuclear maverick that defied world appeals and developed nuclear weapons. India agreed to separate its tightly entwined nuclear industry -- declaring 14 reactors as commercial facilities and eight as military -- and to open the civilian side to international inspections for the first time.

gobbler afflicted · 03-02-2006, 03:02 PM

What do ya think guys? Good idea or not????

cameronmclain · 03-02-2006, 03:03 PM

... and what's wrong with nuclear inspections?

gobbler afflicted · 03-02-2006, 03:15 PM

Nobody said anything was wrong with inspections.

This is what I am asking about

Quote:

a landmark agreement to share nuclear reactors, fuel and expertise

I just worry about helping them develope their nuclear tech. then down the road pulling an Iran.

Aught Six · 03-02-2006, 03:15 PM

Yes, it's good. India is a democratic ally in a critical part of the world; we could use them by our side. In addition, the expansion of their civilian nuclear power program will lead to a decrease inpetroleum consumption, which can help to stabilize the oil market. We can also use our strong diplomatic and commercial ties to gain leverage over China--not only in the energy market, but in the military-industrialmarket as well.

Aught Six · 03-02-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

I just worry about helping them develope their nuclear tech. then down the road pulling an Iran.

Never say never, but in this case I'm saying "never". India and Iran are completely opposite countries with very differentpeople and culture.

Plus, the fact remains that India already has commercial and military nuclear power systems and has deployable atomic bombs as well. It really wouldn't make much difference if the U.S. tried to stop them. In that case, India would simply do business with Russia or China.

Remember, India has a problem with Islamic radicals, too. We stand to gain far more than we could lose in this deal.

cameronmclain · 03-02-2006, 03:18 PM

Gobbler- I think in the back of my mind is the Iran thing too.

But Aught has some good points as well.

I agree with both of you so far. Trying to pack for vacation- I'll have an opinion (as usual) when I have time to read up on it...... I'll be back.

gobbler afflicted · 03-02-2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

the accord would end India's long isolation as a nuclear maverick that defied world appeals and developed nuclear weapons.

This is what sorta concerns me. They have been a bit bullheaded in the past. But excellent points aught

Aught Six · 03-02-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

This is what sorta concerns me. They have been a bit bullheaded in the past. But excellent points aught

Thanks, I understand where you're coming from. Now I'm interested in hearing what Congress thinks about the deal.

hillbillyhunter1 · 03-02-2006, 03:43 PM

I like it and wish the U.S. would start implementing a lot more nuclear power programs as well. India probablyhas more similaritieswith the US than any other country in that region and more than most in the world, and although in the past they have been seen by most in a third world type of scenario, they are definately up and coming in recent years especially in the tech industry. They could really be one of our strongest allies in the future and I think that is great.

Plus they have a lot of Cobras over there, which is cool