Is Indo – US nuclear deal, a policy to buy Delhi’s allegiance?

A study conducted by the Canada based Simons Centre for Disarmament and Non Proliferation Research has warned that the Indo-US nuclear agreement may not be to India’s advantage in the diplomatic and security arena. The findings called “Nuclear Cooperation with India: New Challenges, New Opportunities” was made public. The findings reveal some American policy makers clearly believe that in return for the deal, India is obliged to support US non-proliferation efforts towards Iran. A similar situation could emerge regarding US policy towards China. The Bush administration hopes that greater Indian economic and military prowess will be helpful in the containment of China.
The study also reveals that in near term the deal may augment India’s military capabilities. The proposed deal will grant India access to International fuel supply enabling it to devote its indigenous uranium supply to military programmes. It may also be considered as an US policy to increase India’s nuclear arsenal to produce a contender as strong as China in South Asia. The nuclear agreement could encourage conventional Indo-US military cooperation, giving India access to cutting edge technology and weaponry.
The deal allows India’s nuclear weapons expansion at a rapid rate. It grants India the use of both its current stockpile of weapons grade plutonium and future production from CIRUS and Dhruva, the reactors at Barc. The current stockpile is estimated to be about 400 to 500 Kg. CIRUS and Dhruva could continue producing 25 to 35 Kg of Plutonium per annum. Over the years some 8000 Kg of reactor grade plutonium may have been produced in power reactors that are not under safeguards.