While we are being treated to lullabies — that the agreement with the US is all about nuclear energy — the laws that the US Congress is passing are absolutely clear in the objectives for which the agreement is being entered into.

• Section 2(5) of the Bill that the House of Representatives has passed states that the objective is to bring within the ambit of NPT discipline countries that haven’t signed.

In view of the dust that is thrown in our eyes, it is important to bear in mind two different aspects of non-proliferation. One implication of the expression is that India will join others in ensuring that more States and groups do not acquire nuclear weapons. That is a desirable objective, an objective as vital for India as for others, and everyone subscribes to cooperation for this purpose. But, as we shall soon see, the US has a second meaning in mind too: and that is to halt, roll back, and eventually eliminate the nuclear weapons capability of a country like India. The US Bills make no bones about this at all.

• Section 2(6)(C) of the Bill notes that the agreement that President Bush and Prime Minister have signed, and which our Government has been saying does not at all put a cap on our nuclear strategic programme, “induces the country” to “refrain from actions that would further the development of its nuclear weapons program.”

Section 3(b)(5) clearly states that the US policy is to “Seek to halt the increase of nuclear weapon arsenals in South Asia, and to promote their reduction and eventual elimination.”

... contd.