[Reader-list] Convention on INDIA-US NUCLEAR DEAL AND INDIA'S SOVEREIGNTY

[prakash ray]

Committee on India's Independent Foreign Policy

INDIA-US NUCLEAR DEAL AND INDIA'S SOVEREIGNTY
10th September, 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm, Mavlankar Hall, Rafi Marg, New Delhi

Dear Friends,

The Indo-US Nuclear Deal, in the form of the "123" Agreement with the
US, cannot be seen in isolation. It needs to be examined in the larger
context of a dangerous shift in Indian foreign policy that now seeks
to subjugate the country's interests to the military, political and
economic interests of the globe's largest and most predatory imperial
power – the United States. The 123 Agreement constitutes the pivot in
India's 'strategic partnership' with the US. The drift in policy from
the earlier unequivocal non-aligned stance on global issues is
typified by India's sudden volte-face at the IAEA, where it chose to
support the position of the US on the Iran nuclear issue.

In total disregard of the majority opinion in the Indian Parliament,
the UPA Government wishes to proceed with the Nuclear Agreement
without addressing key issues that have been raised against it.
Significantly, the Left Parties, whose support is critical for the
Government's survival, have asked the government not to proceed
further with the 123 Agreement before addressing major concerns about
the agreement.
Clearly, there is a need to examine the claims made by the government
vis-à-vis the nuclear 'deal'. Some of the major issues, include:
-- The large gap between the assurances, previously given by the PM in
the Parliament, and what has actually been accepted by the US.
-- The Hyde Act, passed by the US Congress, and its implications for
the 123 Agreement. While the Hyde Act ensures for the US that its
domestic legislation holds through the actual implementation of the
agreement, the Indian Government seeks to bypass Parliament and
present the deal as a fait accompli.
-- Aligning India with the strategic interests of the US, without even
a semblance of a debate in the country regarding this significant
shift in India's foreign policy.
-- The attempt to tilt India's energy program towards high cost
imported nuclear power plants neglecting other cheaper sources of
energy including domestic nuclear plants
In order to discuss the above, a convention is being organised on 10th
September in Delhi.

The details are as under:
Date and Time:  10th September, 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Venue:          Mavlankar Hall, Rafi Marg, New Delhi

Prominent speakers at the Convention include: Dr. Placid Rodriguez,
former Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR),
Kalpakkam; AN Prasad, former Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
Mumbai; Dr. AG Goplakrishnan, former Chairman, Atomic Energy
Regulatory Board; Justice PB Sawant, former Judge, Supreme Court; Dr.
AD Damodaran, formerly of Nuclear Fuels Complex, Professor Prabhat
Patnaik, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Shri SP Shukla, Former
Member, Planning Commission, and Shri M.K. Bhadrakumar, Former Ambassador

Leading political leaders will also address the Convention, including:
Shri Parkash Karat, Shri VP Singh, Shri AB Bardhan, Shri Ram Gopal
Yadav, Shri Yerran Naidu, Shri Abani Roy and Shri Debabrata Biswas.

We look forward to your participation in the above Convention, to
contribute to its success and to the promotion of a much larger debate
in the country around theses issues.
With Greetings,
Yours Sincerely,
Sd/-                            Sd/-                    Sd/-
MK Bhadrakumar          Kamal Chenoy            Prabir Purkayastha