U.S. President George Bush may be in a hurry to sign a controversial
pact to sell India nuclear technology and fuel before he leaves office
early next year. And the U.S. has lobbied for the support of Canada,
Australia and other allies. But there is no guarantee the deal will get
approved by India's parliament in a scheduled July 22 vote, much less
by the U.S. Congress during Bush's tenure.
If Democrat Barack
Obama or Republican John McCain inherit the file, he will face pressure
from arms control advocates to insist that India accept strict
conditions on the deal.
Given this uncertainty, Prime Minister
Stephen Harper would be wise to move cautiously before giving Canada's
assent to the deal.
As a member of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) board and of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group
(NSG), Canada has a duty to weigh the risk of nuclear proliferation
before signing on.
India, like Pakistan, Israel and North Korea,
is a nuclear maverick. These countries all have the Bomb but do not
adhere to the full range of international protocols to prevent the
spread of such weapons. New Delhi built its first bomb in 1974 by
misusing Canadian civilian nuclear technology. It exploded others in
1998 (as did Pakistan).
For these reasons, Canada for three
decades refused to sell India technology and fuel. In 2005, Paul
Martin's Liberal government reversed course and agreed to re-establish
nuclear co-operation, though it hasn't resumed yet. The proposed
U.S.-India deal would open a floodgate to technology and fuel transfers.
Canada
could potentially benefit by selling India know-how, reactors and fuel.
But without proper safeguards, India could test more bombs, rapidly
build up its arsenal to 300 bombs (which would rival Britain, France
and China) and transfer technology or fuel to other countries.
Canadians
need to hear a lot more about safeguards before the government approves
any deal. Preferably, the matter would be brought before Parliament for
debate.
What safeguards? Arms control experts are urging the IAEA
and NSG to make any co-operation conditional on a commitment from India
that it will not test any more bombs. As well, India should be urged to
ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, outlawing nuclear tests.
Beyond
that, India should be pressed to halt its domestic production of
material for weapons. It has enough to meet its stated "minimum
deterrence" doctrine. And it must not transfer know-how and fuel.
Finally, the IAEA should have the access to ensure India complies.
Canadashould be willing to share nuclear technology only with countries that
agree to use it for peaceful purposes. Safeguards are essential.
I really have a couple of things that I think I must bring forward! I think the whole concept of India getting the Nuclear technology is wrongly presented. SE Asia needs more energy or they will burn more fossil fuel than ever.
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