Indian National Indictments Muddy the Water for US/India Nuclear Deal

It appears that the indictments of four Indian nationals for export violations have muddied the water on the US-India nuclear cooperation talks. The talks between India and the US are important to India in terms of its civil nuclear capacities. Good relations with the US could pave the way for the lifting of restrictions by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (a group of countries who implement guidelines for exports of nuclear items and nuclear-related items to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons) on exports to India. Symbolicly, at least, successful talks with the US could also signal that the United State implicitly accepts the legitimacy of the Indian nuclear weapons program, even though the Indians (like the Pakistanis and Israelis) developed their nuclear weapons in direct violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Negotiations between India and the US were in their final stages when the indictments came down in early April. The four entities–the CEO of Cirrus Inc. of South Carolina and three other employees-were charged with violating US export control laws by exporting sensitive, controlled technology to India. All four are Indian nationals. The exports included heat-resistant computer chips which can have use in missile guidance systems. Other exports included electronic components with uses in aircraft navigation systems.

The fact that the companies involved with the alleged illegal export are related to the Indian Government is particularly embarrassing to India. This is a time when they want to look the epitome of responsibility and these allegations cast doubts on that. The companies involved were Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (under India’s Department of Space), the Aeronautical Development Establishment (under India’s Ministry of Defense) and Bharat Dynamics, Ltd.

Even without this latest glitch, the US and India are having some trouble ironing out the final details of the agreement. Sticking points for India include the provision that all nuclear equipment and fuel given to it by the US will have to be returned in the event that India conducts a nuclear weapons test. They also want the rights to reprocessing of spent fuel. Some Indian officials claim that the United States continues to “move the goalposts” as talks continue.

The United States maintains that it has done its part in meeting its commitments and hopes that India will do so as well.

Sources:

• The Washington Times Online - April 3, 2007, Author: Bill Gertz
• The Asia Times Online - April 6, 2007