Delay in N-deal makes task tougher
The delay and confusion over moving ahead with the nuclear deal is making it tougher for India to canvas for support within the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: The delay and confusion over moving ahead with the nuclear deal is making it tougher for India to canvas for support within the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Not only is the European Union a divided house on supporting exemption for India within NSG, but even countries like Australia, which were positively inclined towards India, seem set for a course change. Others like Portugal have taken a back step saying that they will wait for India-IAEA safeguards agreement before giving a commitment.
This clearly shows that the momentum that New Delhi and Washington had created after finalizing 123 agreement has dissipated and that countries are still unsure about the government’s abilities to move ahead with the nuclear deal.
“They (NSG countries) feel India is confused. Once the safeguards are negotiated, India will have to do double work (within the NSG),” said India’s former envoy to the UN Arundhati Ghosh.
In fact, the government was concerned that the pause necessitated by the internal political debate would affect the momentum that was created within NSG for supporting India. India needs a consensus within the 45-member NSG which is the body that regulates international nuclear trade. Apart from India, it is the US which is playing a key role in pushing for a consensus within NSG.
And not all countries seem ready to play ball with the US. In fact, Australia where the new Labour dispensation looks set to change the direction of the country’s foreign policy, seem set to harden its position on the matter. Prime Minister designate Kevin Rudd, who is on record supporting the non-proliferation regime, is expected to withdraw the 550 Australian combat troops from Iraq and ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change in a bid to distance his country from the US. Australia under former Prime Minister John Howard was seen as a close ally of the US.
Even a decision to supply uranium to India could be reversed by Mr Rudd who had made this an election promise. Meanwhile, the non-proliferation lobby has also gained time to strengthen it’s lobbying against the nuclear deal.
Countries like Ireland, Sweden and New Zealand have criticised the deal at past NSG meetings while countries like Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and Austria are strong proponents of the non-proliferation regime. Though China has been making supportive noises, it’s the smaller countries that could play spoiler.
Analysts say that even friendly countries have taken a step back after the very public and extreme debate that took place over the nuclear deal and that there are still doubts about whether New Delhi will take the next step on the nuclear deal.
Not only is the European Union a divided house on supporting exemption for India within NSG, but even countries like Australia, which were positively inclined towards India, seem set for a course change. Others like Portugal have taken a back step saying that they will wait for India-IAEA safeguards agreement before giving a commitment.
This clearly shows that the momentum that New Delhi and Washington had created after finalizing 123 agreement has dissipated and that countries are still unsure about the government’s abilities to move ahead with the nuclear deal.
“They (NSG countries) feel India is confused. Once the safeguards are negotiated, India will have to do double work (within the NSG),” said India’s former envoy to the UN Arundhati Ghosh.
In fact, the government was concerned that the pause necessitated by the internal political debate would affect the momentum that was created within NSG for supporting India. India needs a consensus within the 45-member NSG which is the body that regulates international nuclear trade. Apart from India, it is the US which is playing a key role in pushing for a consensus within NSG.
And not all countries seem ready to play ball with the US. In fact, Australia where the new Labour dispensation looks set to change the direction of the country’s foreign policy, seem set to harden its position on the matter. Prime Minister designate Kevin Rudd, who is on record supporting the non-proliferation regime, is expected to withdraw the 550 Australian combat troops from Iraq and ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change in a bid to distance his country from the US. Australia under former Prime Minister John Howard was seen as a close ally of the US.
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Even a decision to supply uranium to India could be reversed by Mr Rudd who had made this an election promise. Meanwhile, the non-proliferation lobby has also gained time to strengthen it’s lobbying against the nuclear deal.
Countries like Ireland, Sweden and New Zealand have criticised the deal at past NSG meetings while countries like Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and Austria are strong proponents of the non-proliferation regime. Though China has been making supportive noises, it’s the smaller countries that could play spoiler.
Analysts say that even friendly countries have taken a step back after the very public and extreme debate that took place over the nuclear deal and that there are still doubts about whether New Delhi will take the next step on the nuclear deal.
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