U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be in New Delhi this weekend to celebrate a hard-fought nuclear deal that to its critics strikes at the heart of the global non-proliferation regime by allowing India access to nuclear technology despite its refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT) and give up a weapons programme.
China and Pakistan are not amused although both stepped aside as they watched an unstoppable Bush administration push the deal through the International Atomic Energy Agency and then the Nuclear Suppliers Group in one of its few foreign policy successes.
A commentary in the state-controlled Beijing Review says Pakistan has reason to worry about the deal and recalls a statement put out by the Pakistan Army last month that warned of negative implications for strategic stability in South Asia. It would have been better if the United States had considered a package approach for both India and Pakistan, which conducted its first nuclear weapon tests two weeks after India, the magazine said, quoting the Pakistan Army statement.
China’s own stand, it said, was that all countries are entitled to make peaceful use of nuclear energy and that bodies like the NSG must address the aspirations of all parties. But it described the India-U.S. deal as a turning point which in the long run would have have a profound impact on international non-proliferation efforts.
“Countries on the nuclear threshold might be tempted by the potential rewards of the Indian approach and pursue their nuclear weapon programs with renewed vigor,” it said. “This new perspective might also affect negotiations over the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues. ”
Within hours of the U.S. Congress clearing the deal by an overwhelming vote, Pakistan’s prime minister was demanding a similar agreement for his country
“Pakistan will also now make efforts for a civil nuclear (deal) and they will have to accommodate us,” Yousaf Raza Gilani said.
And I could’t help thinking about Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s oft-repeated remark way back in the 1960s that Pakistan would eat grass if it had to in order to fund its own nuclear weapons should India go nuclear.
And that’s the way it turned out eventually with the foes developing nuclear weapons programmes that ended in the tests of 1998 that shook the world.
So is Pakistan in a position to embark on a similar project to develop its nuclear capabilities now that it sees its core national interests are again at threat from a nuclear India, backed ironically by its ally the United States?
Pakistan, says former foreign secretary Tanvir Ahmed Khan, needs a coherent strategy and maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent will clearly be a part of it especially if New Delhi now proceeds to build an oversized nuclear arsenal.
And is America’s new nuclear partnership with India going to add another complication to an already difficult engagement with Pakistan? Or will Pakistan, given the multiple pressures it faces, have to live this time with an India that has just won a seat on the nuclear high table ?
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Indo-US nuclear deal has greatly increased Pakistan’s geo-strategic importance. Pakistan is now in a better position to demand a similar nuclear deal from the US. Yet Pakistan can sought the civilian nuclear deal with China. China is Pakistan’s time-tested and very strong ally, China will be tempted to strengthen Pakistan’s nuclear capability to help Pakistan stand upto India. Just same like US is supporting India to stand up against China. Pakistan is a strong and united country, Indo-US nuclear deal is not a matter of concern to Pakistan.
- Posted by UmairMany of u are right while saying its the balancing act by US to counter China. But so what. Why not take advantage from it? If US wants to control China by promoting its interests with India and India also getting benefitted then WHY NOT.
- Posted by RKPakistan all along with China’s help wanted and still wants(even though in death bed) to destabilize India by developing clandestine nuclear capability aided and abbetted by China. It opened hatred breeding Madrasas and gave a free reign to ISI and Al Qaida. Now look what it is going through. It has lost it’s sovereignty to its erstwhile ally U.S which is now giving scant regard to Pak as a nation and is launching attacks on militants from its own soil and Pak can just watch. What a failed state!
- Posted by Iqbal MirTo even think of it being equated to India for Nuclear power is nonsense.
Pakistan Reared a snake(Al Qaida,ISI,etc) in the hope of destabilsing India. Looks like the snake is going to destablize itself instead.
US-India nuke deal is the worst thing happened lately that’s next to 5 bombings in one city. You Indians should know that US is just using you to counter China NOT that they are giving you a favor and also to give business to US companies that build nuke plant. That’s $27 billion, right?
Note that US is very far from India , China and Pakistan so one day with US feeding and brainwashing the minds of Indians they don’t care if one day the 3 countries shoot each other with nuclear head missiles. It’s supposed to be that Ind,Chi and Pak must cooperate and respect each other.Did you ever hear that from US that we should cooperate and refrain from starting war? NO. Why would they care, they are far and because of selfishness.. We are supposed to be cooperating AGAINST U.S interference in the region not that one country is kissing U.S ass and at the same time fighting with its neighbor. History tells that USA DOES NOT conduct any business that does not benefit them only, first and foremost.When they do business there’s always string attach not today maybe tomorrow that you can’t refuse. Mark my word.
What’s happening is U.S is so scared and felt threatened by China’s rise and the idea that China might take their place the the richest country which is just not acceptable to US because of pride.
India, don’t ever think US,EU or Russia like you.They are in fact so critical of your democracy which they call foolish.But it’s all about diplomacy.
The West even think that India is so envious and threatened by China’s rise as well that will explain why India developed close relationship with U.S that didn’t happen before as you are closer to Russia. For its part, US is taking advantage but honestly China I bet is laughing. Psychological war they would say is effective as it strain the countries of its money.
So, with this nuke deal with India, I think US should play fair by giving the same deal with Pak. Pak gave US favor by opening it’s military base for US airstrike of Afghan.
- Posted by wwoweeI would agree then that since US brokered India nuke program, everybody has the right to nuke program including Iran and North Korea.It’s only with US that the two are hostile otherwise they are friendly with the rest. Venezuela with Russia’s help will build nuke facility.There are several nuke facility in US.
If only USA give peace a chance…..
Good luck all
Just as a counter argument to China’s nuclear tests, where did democratic France & UK with their super high ideals conduct their nuclear tests?
No one is saying China is perfect or right, but let’s balance the argument out as France & the UK conducterd their tests on colonised lands, in Australia for example in the UK’s instance.
There was fallout from the French and UK tests too and many secrets are kept in the name of national security about those tests too.
On another note Pakistan is also an ally of the US (for now). The US said so itself, so there’s no disputing that.
There are many attacks on China, probably justified in some instances, but it always amazes me how some people are so narrow minded and only selectively remember or point out China demonizing facts. Western nations are guilty of so many atrocities and acts of double standards and acts of self interest around the planet in the past, present and most likely future, African slavery being a prime example.
Chins isn’t perfect but neither is the West or its allies, far from it!
- Posted by VoodoRay:
Right, so India started one war and Pakistan three. So, do the math. Fact remains, that India didn’t start the 1971 war with an expansionist mindset. Had India actually occupied East Pakistan you could have rightly called it an expansionist state. Another point, during the 1971 war, it was Pakistan which triggered war on the western front (Battle of Longewala) but as soon as East Pakistan was liberated, India ended combat operations even though they could have easily carried on with the war on the Western front. And though you keep pointing at 1971 war, tell me about 1965 war (Operation Gibralter) and 1999 war (Kargil infiltration). Those wars were started by Pakistan with an intention to occupy land and India started the 1971 war with an intention to end one of the worst genocide in the history of South Asia.
And those who talk about Hindu-Christian clashes in India, let me put forward some statistics:
* About 50 Christians were killed in these clashes. If some say this is an underestimate, let us assume that 100 Christians were killed and about 10,000 more were affected. That is still less than .00004% of Christians in India.
* Let us assume that about 1,000 Hindus were involved in these attacks. And there are more than 840,000,000 Hindus in India. So.. those who are bashing Hinduism, do the math.
To end, a few bad fish make the whole pond dirty. But making general remarks on the whole of India because of these isolated clashes beats common-sense and only serves anti-India propaganda.
- Posted by Aaron SmithPakistan is a notorious Muslim terrorists state,failed to control all of its trained coward terrorists and terror factories(Madrasas and mosques).As it is proved that this terrorists country has aquired nuclear weapons by Chineese proliferation Treaty(CPT).World is under threat from this muslim terrorists country.It is evident that ISI is helping Taliban by all means to organise terror plots, like bombings on Indian embassy in kabul.
World should act as soon as possible to take control of pakistan .This muslim terrorists ruled country need international presence to eliminate terror factories(Mosques & Madrasas) and organisations(ISI,Army).
One should not forget that Chineese are working hard for CPT with Pak or pak like terror countries.
“War on terror” must replaced as” War on Pakistan” in order to bring ultimate peace and stability in the world.
- Posted by KumarNot only did India liberate the Bangladeshi Muslims from the genocidal, mass gang-raping state terrorism of the Punjabi Muslim dominated West pakistan, the Mohammedans overlook the cynicism of their Chinese backers who tested all their N-bombs far from Han areas in the occupied Muslim Uighur territories. Radiation-induced birth defects amongst the Muslims in these Chinese-occupied regions are rife but, as with most of the truth in China, hushed up and protestors brutally repressed. So much for Mohammedan unity and solidarity. Look also at sectarianism tearing apart Pakistan!
- Posted by Sutapas BhattacharyaUS-Indian nuclear deal as said earlier is to create electricity producing resource for growth of Indian economy. Electric energy is basic input for any product or service. It is in the interest and safe guard of US that other countries should also become economically independent for this basic resource so that bilateral trade of goods that they need and we here in US need can happan. So, US can create a new market for US nuclear plants by signing agreements with other nations before France does using US-Indian deal as the base model to further their trade.
- Posted by Tariq J QureshiIntrestingly, we have imposed more embargo’s on other nations only to hurt our business interests, as others fill the void and develop the markets. Just look at telecom alone, auto, aircraft and medical fields!
US politically blocked the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline deal through this nuclear deal. We have economically hurt not just Iran, but Pakistan and India who we call friends selectively! The pipeline was to be the conduit to transport gas resource from Iran to China, and was to interconnect central asian states oil and gas pipelines from central asia to warm water Indian ocean port of Gawadar (Pakistan)for delivery to the rest of the world. So we really have blocked economic growth of 8-10 nations.
It is time we revise our political and economic strategy?
To hell with pakistan and China. Who cares with these irresponsible nuclear profileration countries. World should try taking out nuclear arsenal from Pakistan and its main supplier China as well. Idiots who argue for India style N deal for Pak lost their minds. If Pak gets the same N deal then the entire world is doomed. Pak can do anything with the rest of the world to milk money starting from releasing small N materials to Jihadis etc. as it is evident from their controlled terrorist activities - Catch and give few terrorists to US for a few hundred millions and then scare western nations by releasing more trained terrorists to the field so to further milk money from western nations. Pak and their supporters should understand that the terror menace they support for strategic and monetory reasons will completely engulf them, actually engulfing them now.
- Posted by AKI agree Iftikhar . There was a “Paku” River flowing from Himalayas to the west and the civilization on its banks was called Pakis Vally Civilization. It was there for thousands of years. And after independence from Britain, a small portion of Pakistan was splitted and given to non muslims. its name is India. Thanks for the info..
Also for James/London and Tery, I beg to disagree. You may have watched some documentaries. But most of those documentaries that are coming through BBC and Discovery channel are more than 5 to 10 years old. You cant measure the developments in a nation just by watching that. It is true and shameful that some communal violence is happening in India in the Tribal district of Orissa. But that doesnt relate anywhere to development or freedom of press. If you live till 2030, you can see that India is in top 3 positions in GDP, Space technology, Military strength etc.
- Posted by JKTo start, I am a Pakistan-born American. Objective of US-Indian nuclear deal is to facilitate India to have nuclear power plants to meet their electricity needs for home use and economic growth. As US is so concerned about India’s future ‘economic’ growth, ignoring the basic needs of Pakistan is disturbing. Pakistan is in more dire need of electric power as they have nationwide 6-8 hours/day black-outs lacking electrical power.
- Posted by Tariq J QureshiPolitically speaking, 9/11 caused the deaths of 3000 people, but US created ‘war-on-terror’ has had over 5000 US sons killed along with half a million sons & fathers of other nationalities who are created by the same God. We are the only nation that have used Atomic bombs to kill, and have provoked and attacked other nations in the name of democracy, because we have the military muscle to impose our will for political and economical (oil) control of the world. War’s are result of diplomatic failures. SO have we failed diplomatically to unilaterally declare 1/3rd of world as our enemy? lets not forget Al-Qaida and Taliban are 2nd generation mujaheedins who faught our war against soviets, to economically weaken them to a state that caused it’s breakup. Is the war on terror economically weakening us internally in US, that $700B looks like a band-aid. I think it is time concentrate on diplomacy and talk to people we unilaterally call enemies so they can come into main stream of politics in every country where we somehow have direct or indirect hand in the conflicts ranging from Palestine, Kashmir, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Venzeula just to name a few. US moto should not be “War on terror” but “Live and let live”.
No one must doubt the will of Pakistanis to counter any Indian achievement which may endanger Pakistan’s survival, no matter what the cost may be. There is no shame in “Die Trying”. But the long sought out death of Pakistan may very well give birth to the Nuclear Power to Al-Quaeda/Taliban which could bring down a lot of Taboos to Kaboose. So lets not forget that the “Size doesnt Matter”. OK.
- Posted by N. JunaidWhile I agree with all comments that see this deal as positive I am wary about the US motives for such a move; India must not become dependent or indeed subservient to the US.
- Posted by AryanIndia is a democracy and as such is bureaucratic and moves and reacts like a lumbering Elephant; India has been the victim of past aggressions mostly by Pak but also by China; India in the end needs this deal as it is surrounded by prowling hyenas’ desperate to scavenge it’s riches and potential.
This deal buys India time, its economy and technology base are increasing exponentially; while Pak scavenges, steals and begs for its technology while its economy fails.; lets not forget that during the Bangladesh war Pak committed genocide it was India the came to the rescue of the oppressed Bangladesh’s.
It’s time for the Elephant to become more assertive and protect Freedom and Democracy for all.
PAKISTAN, once part of INDIA
- Posted by IftikharNo Sir
get the record strait INDIA was Part of PAKISTAN for 800 hundred years
Aaron Smith – Don’t you even dare to tell me what to say. If you can’t stand the heat and accept the facts then get out of the kitchen! Just because you have different views to mine doesn’t mean that my views are, as you put it, “highly inaccurate”. You are a fool to even think that way. The world doesn’t revolve around, nor agree to, your thoughts and opinions mate! With regards to you second comment about India – tell me Mr. Intelligent, if you have a humanitarian crises do you go and start and war? Is that the solution? Grow up! There is no excuse to start any war, ever! And the fact that you admit that India began that war only reinforces what I said earlier.
Kamal – please refrain from stereotyping. You don’t know anything about me so it is wrong for you to call me, or anyone else for that matter, a “non-proliferation warrior”. What agenda are you referring to? Oh really, please stop trolling and stick to the topic at hand. Who are you to call Pakistan can China fanatical states? Do you actually have anything useful comments to share or do you just love drowning in your weird imagination?
- Posted by RayIndo-US nuclear deal is significant in terms of new global power alignment.Its clear shift(towards India) of US strategic policies in recent years.This pact would re-emphasize that India is a responsible Nuclear power .Its also a clear messege some countries like pakistan,china syria etc. ” Be careful when next time you smuggle nuclear weapons and technology”.
- Posted by KumarFaceless China and Doubled faced Pakistan crying hard becoz their smuggling regime is about to collapse.These guys were seriously involved in smuggling nuclear technologies throughout the globe.China is not only responsible for equipping a terrorist state(Pakistan) with nuclear arms but they have targeted dozens of other countries as client.there is no doubt if these SHAMELESS countries would try to initiate a pact like Indo-US nuclear deal.
They are real threat to the world peace and now the real challenge for world community is to UNMASK these countries.
Ammar,
- Posted by IndianChristian inquistionist clandestinely working hand in gloves with the Maoist in the East & Muslim terrorists blasting bombs & murdering innocents all over India, wonder what YOU have to say about this? God sent rights?(sic)
it is shocking to read such biased reviews, india has a worrying track record in dealing with religious minorities (muslims, christians and sikhs) and against its neighbours. As far as china is concerned, they have every reason to fear a nuclear india on their border. Considering china is bailing out the states in the financial crisis, it is high time they call the shots. Isn’t that what the west has done in the past?
- Posted by s.van slobbeNonproliferation zealots are misguided fools like those who appeased Hitler. They turn a blind eye to the 1945 era status quo, hypocrisy of the NPT which India rightly ignores and the brazen proliferation by the Chinese dictatorship which occupies Tibet, Turkestan, Aksai Chin and holds false claims against the territory of most of its neighbours and Taiwan.China cynically uses Pak to destabilize India. Just this week Aljazeera led with a story about Pakistan begging for Aid as it Forex reserves were running out. Whatever the faults of the USA, India’s interest lies in aligning itself with the liberal societies of the West (USA and EU) and with our Russian friends to keep in check the far worse, semi-barbarous forces surrounding us.
- Posted by Sutapas Bhattacharya