Essays - Indo-US Strategic Nuclear Deal and its Regional Implications

Indo-US Strategic Nuclear Deal and its Regional Implications

The New Framework for US-India Defense Relations (NFDR) for the next 10 years was a historic event signed by President Bush and Prime Minister Manmoham Singh, on Maarch 2, 2006 in New Delhi. The deal comprises joint weapons production, cooperation on missile defense and transfer of technology, mainly on three levels: Energy security, Strategic Cooperation, and Economic Engagement.

Factors behind this Partnership:

1. After the potential rise of China in Military and economic fields, US desires to maintain equilibrium in Asia, therefore it requires an alliance with a power which would be able to undertake this task.

2. India shares convergence of interests with US in the region. After 9/11 and December 13, 2003 attack on Indian Parliament, India has propagated that it shares the same threats as that of America.

3. India wants to play stronger role in the region being the biggest Democracy, second in population, faster growing economy. India also agrees with US missions of Regime changes for democracy.

4. The US have planned its permanent bases in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Asian Republics. This US presence is not welcomed by China and Russia.

Carnegie Endowment published a report by Ashley tallies which was titled “India as a new global power : An action agenda for the US.” In accordance with this report Bush is assisting India in becoming a global power of the 21st century. Mr. Tallies cites the cases of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka cases of state failure haunting India and also pose a threat to US. So both countries should join hands to curb this extremism. The important question is that for how long will the US require Pakistan’s services if India attracts US by providing them strategic bases , a matching ideology, and no Jihadies to haunt Us soldiers.

The China Factor:

China and India has settled their border dispute and trade has reached to US $ 13.6 billion. It is predicted that India will become China’s largest trading partner overtaking the US, which is currently India’s main export market and import source. US enjoys partnership with Japan, Taiwan which are strategic rivals to China, joining with India provides leverage over China. US also aims at constraining each of these two rising Asian powers(Chins and India) through the other by its own balancing role. Also it will prevent any possible alliance against US in future.

The Iran Factor:

Both China and Russia have been supportive of Iran in its quest to continue with its nuclear program. Alxender Rumyantsev, Head of Russia’s Atomic energy Commission stated “When Iran announces to construct new nuclear reactors; we will take part in them.” US considers Russia as a lost ally on its war against terror and this move has also pushed US to towards India which can abide by Bush’s demand to withdraw its cooperation from Iran. India’s refusal to invite Iranian’s President and withdrawing from India-Iran-Pakistan pipeline after Condaliza Rice’sVisit to India.

Pakistan has been denied Nuclear Assistance?

Condaliza Rice made a blunt statement, “It is not right time to give nuclear assistance to Pakistan.” The fear factors are rise of Talabans and Al Qaida in Pakistani areas, alleged transfer of nuclear technology to Iran by Dr Qadir and expected rise of extremists (Like MMA) in Power, and strong Sino-Pak friendship.

Indian acquisition of Ballistic Missile Defense would affect Pakistan’s offensive capability, thus Pakistan tested its first indigenously built cruise missile on August 11, 2005, which can hit enemy target without being detected by the radars with a range of 500 Kms. Prsident Mushraf has said, “Pakistan vows to modernize its offensive and defensive capability keeping in view the Indian-US Military Partnership.”

Policy Concers for Pakistan:

India is enjoying favorable relations with China, Pakistan, cold war friend –Russia, and now with US.

Pakistan should continue to strengthen the composite dialogue with India to bring the differences on the table, normalize the tense situation on its western borders, internal stability, Pakistan has to adopt Hi-Tech weapons and modernize its military and strategic assets. In Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Pakistan has got observer status. Increasing ties with China, Russia and CIRs is in the best interest.

Finally in this age of economic dependence, US-India deal holds alarming repercussions for regional actors.