Every single element which the prime minister had listed as unacceptable is still there. Is the deal acceptable in spite of these provisions that are “not acceptable to us”?

Conditional upon uninterrupted supplies of fuel

The fourth point that the prime minister emphasised was made much of — by him as well as by Congress benches. He said that India would be placing the civilian reactors under IAEA safeguards “with assurances of uninterrupted supply of fuel to reactors... together with India’s right to take all corrective measures in the event fuel supplies are interrupted.” Again, “We, of course, have the sovereign right to take all appropriate measures to fully safeguard our interests,” he added.

In responding to questions that were raised after he had spoken, he said again, “The nuclear agreement will not be allowed to be used as a backdoor method of introducing NPT type restrictions on India. Our offer to put nuclear facilities under safeguards in perpetuity is conditional upon these facilities securing fuel from international sources for their lifetime. If the fuel supply assurances as enumerated in Separation Plan are disrupted, then India will have the right to take corrective measures to ensure the continued operation of these reactors.” And yet again, “These safeguarded facilities will be eligible for and will receive fuel materials and technology from international sources. If such supplies cease, then India will be free to protect its interests through corrective measures.”

Three operational points flow from what he said. First, the US and the Nuclear Suppliers Group will commit themselves to supplying fuel without interruption to the reactors that are being placed under safeguards. Second, India’s offer of placing all our civilian reactors under safeguards “is conditional” upon this assurance being fulfilled. Third, should the US and others renege on this commitment — as happened in the case of Tarapur — India would exercise its sovereign right to take “all corrective measures”, to take “all appropriate measures”.

... contd.