Similarly, China hoped that today’s decision would be “conducive” to realizing non-proliferation objectives and called for a “non-discriminatory” approach as this would now become a precedent for other countries outside the NPT. This was later emphasized by Pakistan, which demanded this agreement be now considered as a “new standard” for non-NPT states (read Pakistan).

Reading out from an earlier resolution of its National Command Authority, Pakistan stated that the nuclear deal would adversely impact the strategic balance in South Asia. It may be noted that Pakistan chose to speak after the agreement had been adopted, therefore forgoing any chance to push for a vote.

The nuclear deal now moves on to the 45-member NSG, which is going to be a major diplomatic challenge for both New Delhi and Washington. Going by some serious doubts raised by NSG countries in the IAEA Board today, the next three weeks will require an even stronger diplomatic push from both countries.

Apart from China, which did not quite show a distinct change of heart today, countries like Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and Norway voiced serious concerns over the impact this would have on the NPT regime.

Ireland went to extent of saying that if the safeguards agreement had been put to vote today, it would have abstained. However, South Korea, an NSG member spoke with special permission and supported inclusion of India into the nuclear mainstream.

Consider these:

• Switzerland: “For principle, we are not satisfied with the proposal put to us today. This is not standard text...Acceptance will take us down the way of exceptions and this would put beyond our grasp the goal of global non-proliferation...If adopted, we will have to note that the non-proliferation treaty that we all know will seem to have come to its end, and we will have to think of its successor.”

... contd.