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The civil nuclear deal between India and the US continues to be rocked by controversies. The latest to join the camp of critics is Mr K. C. Pant, who had been part of the establishment and who, having been an Energy Minister, could be expected to favour such a deal. Three Foreign Ministers, including Mr Natwar Singh of the Congress Party leading the NPA coalition, have also given notice of a motion in Parliament.

Indeed, not one of the published op-ed pieces from scientists, specialists and political analysts that I have come across so far in the print media has been supportive of the deal. To make matters worse, the case put out on its behalf by the Government has been weak and unconvincing, and even official spokespersons defending it have looked distinctly uncomfortable in fielding questions on its real benefit to India.

In particular, nobody seems to be clear about the exact purport of tagging on to the Bills the "Sense of the House" resolution and the prefatory observations pinning India down to fulfil certain obligations derogatory to its sovereignty.

They may not be binding in the strict legal sense, but can certainly be exploited to India's disadvantage by some future unfriendly US Administration.

Similarly, the certificates of status and compliance the US President is annually required to give the Congress to maintain the supply of nuclear fuel bristles with ugly implications.

Before giving the certificates, the President is bound to ascertain from the Indian Government the extent of conformity of its actions with the stipulations laid down in the Act, and raise queries on aspects that are not to the US' satisfaction.

In other words, India will be reduced to a vassal state, answerable to an extra-territorial superior entity on what it does or fails to do.

It is also unclear whether the passing of the Bills will precede or follow the completion of India's negotiation with the IAEA on the mandatory safeguards.

Altogether a messy situation!

B. S. Raghavan

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