One can term it as the Indo-US nuclear deal “made easy.”

Recognising the fact that it may be difficult for ordinary people to grasp the implications of the nuclear agreement with all its technical aspects and intricacies, the Independence Day issue of CPM’s party organ People’s Democracy has incorporated a special article by party general secretary Prakash Karat on the deal and why it has led to a political crisis.

The article is  titled “Left is Firm: No Passage for Nuclear Deal”. If India goes ahead with the agreement, it will be bound to the US in a such a manner that it would seriously impair an independent foreign policy. It would also hit India’s strategic autonomy.

“The supply of nuclear fuel, the fuel cycle and enrichment are all not within the knowledge of lay people,” the article said.

“Without going into the complex issues concerning nuclear cooperation, one way to understand the agreement is to ask: Does this agreement advance India’s interests? Is this an agreement only on nuclear cooperation or is it part of a wider agreement?”

This alliance entailed not just nuclear cooperation, but talked of the two countries promoting global democracy, revamping the Indian economy to facilitate large scale investment by the US and a strategic military collaboration.
The article mentions that a major pitch is being made for the nuclear cooperation agreement-that it would help India meet its energy needs. But it ignores the very limited contribution of nuclear power to India’s overall energy generation, which is just three per cent and cannot exceed seven per cent.

This is the fact, even if the ambitious plans for expansion are implemented in the next 25 years.

“To make India’s foreign policy and strategic autonomy hostage to the potential of nuclear energy does not make sense, except for the American imperative to bind India to its strategic designs in Asia,” it said.

“As the country observes the 60th anniversary of independence, fundamental questions concerning our sovereignty and independent foreign policy are being raised. These are vital issues which cannot be ignored,” it added.