Tarapur Atomic Power Station (Page 47)

This is touted as a shining moment for the country, a great diplomatic achievement. The prime minister insists that every patriotic Indian must support it. But the American cooperation is easily reversible, conditional on India's good behaviour on America's non-proliferation concerns and comes at a huge cost—commercial, diplomatic and strategic.

India will be sinking billions of dollars in nuclear power plants, which will be totally dependent on imported fuel. That fuel will be America's handle for ensuring India's good behaviour. There is no guarantee of uninterrupted fuel supply for imported reactors. Nor will India be allowed to stockpile enough uranium supplies for the lifespan of these reactors. And the US will cut off all cooperation, including fuel supply, if India oversteps the line on the strategic side. It will also persuade other members of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) to do the same. This could act as a severe deterrent when it comes to considering strategic options.

If fuel is the instrument to keep India on a leash, the requirement of the US president to submit reports to the Congress is the mechanism to accomplish it. The US President has to keep a close watch on all nuclear activity in India and..

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