The Economist/The nuclear deal takes wing

Describes Manmohan Singh's move to go ahead with the nuclear deal as a "coup", a hugely significant move, as it would make India an exception to global counter-proliferation regime. The road ahead is hard, and as the magazine notes, European countries may act difficult, while China may stealthily to try and "spoil its populous rival's party".

Time/Nuclear Brinkmanship

The article notes the political gamble that the Indian Prime Minister has willed himself to play, betting his political future against the controversial civilian nuclear deal with the United States. Singh and his party members have to convince voters as well as lawmakers that the country has not turned into an US pawn, and why it was necessary to put so much emphasis on foreign policy when the country is battling economic slowdown and high inflation.

Washington Post/An Uncertain deal with India

Jayshree Bajoria says with time of the essence, the IAEA's ``approval, required before the deal can move forward, is only the first of many challenges''. The 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group, also needs to approve the deal. Experts see an irony here, because the NSG was created in 1974 following India's first nuclear test to prevent further nuclear arms proliferation. The writer says that while some experts tout the deal as a boon to U.S. civilian nuclear business, others say the deal holds little advantage for the United States beyond symbolism. Leonard S. Spector, a nonproliferation expert at the Monterey Institute of International Studies argues that Russian and French firms are better positioned to reap the benefits of opening up nuclear sales to India.

... contd.