Hidden Issues of the N-Deal

Frankly, I’ve been apprehensive about the nuclear deal actually coming through since it was first signed in July. There is unprecedented opposition to the deal from every quarter of either side. The governments’ refusal to divulge any clear information and a general lack of transparency calls for concern and introspection.

Following the signing of the 123 agreement, India must refrain from any premature celebrations as there is still some tough unfinished business. Any such deal must be approved by the appropriate House and Senate committees before making it to the floor of the Congress for a final vote. I see these as huge road-blocks in the passage of this bill.

Despite several denials, I wonder why and how the US seems to have given-in to every other demand (or rather request) made by the Indian side. Given, there are enormous economic opportunities for America but I still wonder what has prompted the Bush administration to go to the extent of rewriting the law and provide nuclear fuel with a bag of other concessions. Isn’t it very uncharacteristic of America?

The Iran factor comes into prominence and stands in between India and the first installment of nuclear fuel. Traditionally, we’ve shared friendly ties with this Islamic Republic. In recent times with the dream Iran-India pipeline project coming close to being a reality the relationship is at its peak. On the contrary, America’s animosity towards Iran is increasing exponentially by the day. With the Iraqi issue now being stale, Iran is the most-discussed item in the power corridors of Washington for the country is weary of Iran’s own nuclear ambitions and the threat it poses to the stability of the middle-east.

I have personally seen members of the senate committees’ grilling Condy Rice and her colleagues on the Indo-Iranian interests during one of the public hearings. Poor Rice’s answers were anything but convincing. Earlier this year, key ranking members of the congressional committees’ wrote letters to the Indian government warning them of the growing ties with Iran. This act was scoffed at by the NDA/Left parties and the government did nothing concrete to truly allay American fears. Add to this the role of the American media who don’t seem to waste a chance to take a swipe at the Bush administration for doling out such goodies to a nation in close contact with a bitter rival.

Clearly, nations have interests – the pipeline is of paramount interest to India and the same is detrimental to the American interests in nuclear energy. The differences arising out of the Iranian connection is going to be hard to overcome and Bush’s term is running out too.

India calls the deal ‘historic,’ America calls it ‘natural,’ NDA/Left call it ‘threat to Indian sovereignty and indigenous research’ and I call it ‘murky’ and the task ahead Herculean.

Emergency in Pakistan - Catch 22 for America

To Oppose-

The warm and cozy relationship President Pervez Musharraf enjoys with President Bush and his Administration is well-known to all by now. To please his friends in Washington the general is playing perhaps a small yet crucial role in the ongoing global fight against terrorism. He is atleast doing well in making the Americans believe that his army is doing a heck of a job in keeping the Al Qaeda under check and regions around the Afghan border under control. If the previous attempts to kill the general are believed to be genuine and US support wanes it could be the perfect setting for extremists in hiding to come out in the open, overthrow Musharraf, take control of the nuclear arsenal and create havoc. International borders would then have no meaning and the anarchy will spread to Afghanistan like fire; re-invigorate the taliban; empower the Al Qaeda and thereby mean disaster in this war against terrorism.

To Support-

But, the US can't simply remain a silent spectator and wave a green flag for anything and everything Musharraf does. America, the biggest advocate of democracy can't let it's most critical ally remain in a state of emergency and under a military dictator forever. That would be the biggest joke and the greatest example of hypocrisy. America must act and keep pushing for a return to democracy ASAP.

As one can see it is not possible for the US to strongly take sides at this point and is in a confused state. All it can do is keep making statements to the media and remain 'concerned.'

However, it will be interesting to note how much grace period America gives the general before he makes some sort of return to democracy and restores normalcy either by giving up his uniform or conducting elections. What is the threshold they have set for Pakistan before they resort to drastic measures like cutting military aid? Also, if the situation in Pakistan does not improve for sometime especially beyond January, it will then cast a shadow on the presidential polls for the stand of each candidate on this issue will be equal to a key foreign policy statement of a (future) president.

What could/does a burning Nandigram mean...

Triumph for Capitalism!

Here is one of the first official responses from the government as soon as hell broke loose in Nandigram. "We need development in our state and only a capitalist like Tata can make that happen!" - these are the words of a man who is Marxist to the core. Did the leader of the state that has been the homeground for communists in India for decades say this? This only shows that the communists are forced to chew up their ideology and suck up to the old saying that only capitalists, Free markets and profit-making enterprises mean real, solid development (obviously with the exception of the enigmatic nation - China). Also, to me this brings the hidden capitalist in Buddha to the fore. The rise and wealth of the city of Kolkata can be perceived as an enigma too. Without some capitalist policies neatly packaged within those myriad Marxist views, the city could not have possibly created an atmosphere for growth and thereby attracted investment. So, Nandigram and the official statements puts a smile on the face of capitalism aficionados who'd say now say louder that not socialism, not communism but it's capitalism that works.



Mileage for Mamata!

Mamata Banjerjee formed the Trinamool congress with the sole aim of capturing power from the Marxists. All the talk of her actually being a real threat to the communist establishment during the last elections is crap. Other than being able to attract a sizable crowd to her rallies in Salt Lake Stadium, which is an achievement by itself, she could do nothing more. She now sees Nandigram as the real chance to realize her dream and is thereby trying to derive as much political mileage as she can from this event and hopes to translate any momentum she gains from here into votes, when it matters. Infact, Trinamool workers are reported to be instrumental in instigating the mob and intensifying the violence. Now, she hopes to be immortalized as a martyr who gave up her office to fight for the plight and justice of the commoners. Well, I just hope people realize she is here just to earn some votes and is actually eyeing a more coveted office in Kolkata.



Hope for the N-deal!

Various rights' commissions across the nation are about to deliver some strong messages to the Buddha government. The governor who is already on a war path along with the courts could deem the situation to be a complete breakdown of law and order, causing some real threat to the government. It would be fun to have a situation where the center is pushed to the verge of invoking the Article 356. Wow, ironically, Karat and Yechury will run to Delhi for cover and it will be the perfect opportunity to play politics. I trust Sonia to broker a deal such that will keep the Marxists in power and will also allow the N-deal to be operationalized.