Power to the People of India: U.S. Nuclear Cooperation with India
Abstract
This article argues that the proposed U.S.-India civilian nuclear cooperation has significant merit, promising tangible energy, economic, and security benefits to India, the United States and the wider international community. India's acute energy needs and the upsides of the deal are greater than is generally appreciated. And while possible proliferation downsides exist, they have been exaggerated. The article lays out the argument in four parts. First, it examines India's energy situation and its relationship to the Indian economy. Second, it looks at India's options for improving its energy outlook and the role of nuclear energy among those options. Next, it addresses proliferation concerns; and, finally, it ends with a discussion of regional security considerations, especially with respect to a possible arms race with China. In the summer of 2005, the U.S. and Indian governments publicly announced plans for a deal to cooperate on civilian nuclear power production. Some observers quickly condemned the deal on the basis that such cooperation would be bad for global nonproliferation efforts. Similar criticism eight months later, following the joint U.S.-Indian announcement of an agreement on the substance of the deal, left many Americans with the impression the administration had decided to accept a bad deal. In reality, the deal has significant merit, promising tangible energy, economic and security benefits to India, the U.S. and the wider international community. India's acute energy needs and the upsides of the deal are greater than is generally appreciated. And while possible proliferation downsides exist, they have been exaggerated. The proposed deal presents an opportunity to strengthen U.S.-India ties in a way that is good for the U.S., India and others.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA520426
Entities
People
- Mark Bucknam
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School