.bmp)
.bmp)
NEW DELHI-India's atomic energy deal with the United States, now back on track after the government won a confidence vote, next faces objections from some countries over selling uranium fuel and technology to the nuclear power.But analysts say the landmark agreement, worth at least $40 billion for the energy business in a drive to double India's share of nuclear power to around 5-7 percent by 2030, should pass international muster thanks to staunch U.S. support.The pact, which would make India a de facto nuclear power despite not signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty and conducting nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998, ran into trouble after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government faced a revolt by its former communist allies, culminating in Tuesday's vote.With that battle won, analysts say India and the United States look well placed to muster support from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the next steps needed before it goes to U.S. Congress for approval."There will be obstacles and some countries are skeptical about the deal, but in the end it should get approved," said Siddharth Varadarajan, diplomatic editor of The Hindu newspaper. "The commercial interests are just too compelling."While the communists opposed the pact on the argument that it would make India a pawn of Washington, for other critics it gives India, a nuclear outlaw for decades after it developed nuclear weapons, too many rewards for little in return.The deal will enable around 400 Indian companies to tie up with major global nuclear firms such as GE, Westinghouse and Areva to develop India's civilian nuclear power, while requiring it to accept international monitors for its facilities.But India still says the pact will allow it to carry out its own nuclear tests. India would still have the right to build a strategic nuclear fuel reserve, meaning it could better resist a halt of international supplies after a nuclear test.To read more go to:
As in the days of Noah....
