Anglo-Indian Nuclear Deal: Yes Or No?

India and britain are all set to sign a nuclear deal. This agreement will enable India to receive british products and skills and the two countries will be able to share nuclear technology.

A civil nuclear agreement between India and Britain seems to be on the threshold. British secretary of state for business, Lord Peter Mandelson indicated that they are all set to sign the deal. The agreement will be signed during the visit of the Indian commerce minister Anand Sharma to Britain next month.

Lord  Mandelson was said to be disappointed that such an agreement was not concluded during his visit to Delhi last month. According to a source at the Indian High Commission, India objected to a non-proliferation clause in the draft submitted by the UK.

However, even if the mentioned declaration is signed next month, this cannot become operational until New Delhi changes its policy of restricting nuclear collaboration to public sector entities. Most of the potential British suppliers of technology and nuclear energy are in the private sector.

Lord Mandelson said the agreement would cover a range of inputs and activities involved in the fuel and technology sector.