The
India-Japan
Civil Nuclear
Deal
with the US has provisions for con-
sultation between the two countries
and remedial action for India in the
case of a termination. The agree-
ment with Japan is not radically dif-
ferent from that.
India will continue to have its
right to conduct nuclear tests if the
strategic environment changes dra-
matically and adversely affect In-
dia’s security. In such a situation, in
reality, both the US and Japan may
appreciate the Indian situation.
India is keen in entering into
an agreement with Japan when so
many countries have already signed
business agreements because of Ja-
pan’s reliability and trustworthiness.
It is not known for imposing addi-
tionalities and its technology is con-
sidered more advanced than many
of the countries active in global nu-
clear reactor commerce.
Japanese nuclear companies
have bought stakes in the companies
of some of the supplier countries.
An agreement with Japan will solve
the issue of taking a consent from
Japan for doing business with the
companies of those countries. Japan
is emerging as an important strategic
partner of India in managing Asian
affairs. Together the two countries
may push the idea of Asiatom.
Japan, a country with advanced
technology but declining popula-
tion, may provide both a base and
an opportunity for the Indian scien-
tific force. It could be a win-win situ-
ation for both the countries. It is in-
dicated that both the countries may
do some innovative work on safety
and security, though other countries
have the similar provision in their
agreements with India.
In the future, the two countries
have to consolidate what they have
agreed, covered and gained so far.
The deal will turn out mutually ben-
eficially for both. India will get its
much-needed electricity and tech-
nological partnership and Japan will
get a market for its companies which
are facing a tough situation for sev-
eral years even before the Fukushi-
ma Daiichi nuclear disaster
Really, the sky is the limit for In-
dia and Japan in the nuclear and
other
strategic
sectors.
Lalit Panwar
3044, Batch of ‘13