Nuclear Storm

For all the success that was claimed by the government in negotiating a fair deal with Uncle Sam for the 123 agreement, the public didn't see themselves having to head to the polling booths. But if the political storm that has been raised at New Delhi doesn't blow over, the public could very well be headed there. It must be said that the situtaion is not all black and white. The left has raised some valid concerns and have had so since July 2005. It is a different story altogether that the media didn't pay much attention to communist cries, until the crescendo theatened to topple the government. One of the main concerns raised by the left is that the nuclear deal is much more than the deal alone, it involves a alignment of India's foreign policy alongside USA's geo-political strategy for Asia. Proof of this was seen when India voted against Iran at the IAEA both in 2005 and 2006. An independent foreign policy that is not subject to coercion, cannot be snuffed away as an idealist demand, the left cannot be chided for this demand. When the Prime Minister and the US ambassador, plead with the country to make the most of the opportunity that presents itself, the opportunity being that Bush is the friendliest US president that India has seen, they seem to miss the point. Bush could very well go down in world history as the worst US president ever. Does India wish to seek a strong association with a US president, who clearly is very unpopular in his home country. As of May 2007, Bush's approval ratings had dropped to 28% .
However as was stated earlier all is not black and white, while an independent foreign policy is definitely desired, our foreign policy has definitely to reflect the political strategy India has in place to keep a rising China in check. If China is to become the sole superpower in Asia, then it will affect our dealing with not Beijing alone, but with Islamabad as well. Negotiations, ranging from border disputes to criminal extradition will become more difficult. Backing out of the nuclear deal, will be a missed opportunity to join the club of countries that control nuclear trade and technology in the world. The nuclear deal could strengthen trade ties with many developed nations, not only in the nuclear arena but in others as well. This will indirectly help in giving the country a push towards becoming a developed nation faster. It bodes well for India to be seen as China's equal.
The situation is not such that a stand can be taken easily, both sides, the Congress as well as the left, have perfectly valid reasons for their particular stands. The BJP makes a fool of itself when it opposes the agreement for foreign policy reasons, for it was during their governance that the tone for greater coooperation with the United States was first set. Extended debates among the political community will be needed to decide which is the course best suited for the country. Just like any sovereign country, both America and China will put their interests first ahead of India's. In the same vein the sovereign state of India has to decide based on what serves it's interests the best.