India expects to produce between 275,000 to 300,000 MW of nuclear power by 2052. Of this, some 200,000 MW could come from FBRs and U-233-Thorium systems. The balance would have to come from uranium systems — natural or low-enriched. For this ambitious programme to be realised, India must ‘cross the rubicon’ of the Indo-US nuclear agreement. Ultra-patriotic sabre-rattling of an unrestricted nuclear arsenal or freedom to test, without invoking international response, are theoretical objections. Pragmatism demands that India take decisions based on the realities on the ground and not based on mental blocks. History has shown repeatedly that ideology seldom wins. In the end, it is hard-headed common sense that yields the best results.