Click to play videoNew Delhi: It was a historic Saturday with decades of India's nuclear isolation ending and the world’s biggest democracy finally making its tryst with nuclear destiny.
With the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group giving a waiver on the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal in Vienna, India is now allowed to trade in civil nuclear energy. [Read Story]
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called it a forward-looking and momentous decision, marking a definite end of India's isolation from the nuclear mainstream and of the technology denial regime. "It is also a recognition of India's impeccable non-proliferation credentials and its status as a state with advanced nuclear technology," he said.
The approval from the NSG came after almost three days of meeting in Vienna on Saturday. The NSG meet was called to minimise any damage to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which India has not joined.
How it happened
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, whose statement on Friday proved the key that convinced the critics at the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) of India's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, claimed that the waiver was a major landmark in India's quest for energy needs. [Read Pranab's Statement]
"NSG has adopted a statement on civil nuclear cooperation which will enable India to resume nuclear trade with international community. We welcome this move. This is a major landmark in our quest for energy needs," Pranab said while addressing the media in New Delhi on Saturday evening.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Now India is free to buy nuclear reactors and fuel from nations that can supply them. But some assurances made by India have been appended to the document. There has been apparently no mention of testing in the waiver document.
What now?
India has got the all-important approval, but what happens next?
India's 34-year nuclear isolation ends and the country can now get into commercial nuclear trade with any country The waiver will also kickstart negotiations on completion of separate nuclear deals with Russia and France.
Draft framework for these deals is ready but were kept on hold till India got the NSG waiver.
The Indo-Russian deal promises four additional reactors to India. The deal with France will add six new reactors.
For the common man, the power production from nuclear reactors is expected to rise considerably in the next 20 years.
In brief:
- Could be a major contributor to our energy security
- Will provide 20,000 mw of electricity by 2020
- Opens door for nuclear cooperation with other countries
- India will enter the global mainstream of N-power
- Provides for full civil nuclear energy cooperation.
- Provides for development of strategic reserve of nuclear fuel.
- India doesn't have to sign NPT or CTBT.
- Does not affect India's right to conduct nuclear tests.
- Will provide access to high technology denied for 30 years.
- Will spur high-end manufacturing.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.