I have the Power...(and the Energy too)

Finally the PM got what he wanted all along. His nuclear pact with Uncle Sam firmly sealed in that nice leather file, the Left shown its place in the state of affairs, and for once seeming like the man in power, and not just the man with power, Dr. Singh has come a long way. If Vajpayeeji’s reign came to be characterized by Lahore and Agra, then Dr. Singh’s tenure will be marked by this pact.
Energy security is something every nation is beginning to realize the importance of. In a country where 70% of our energy requirements or rather our electricity requirements are met by coal, we are in a most vulnerable position. The non-renewability of coal is a cliché, but the fact’s that we need to move to more environment friendly and reliable sources of energy as quickly as possible.
India has 15 nuclear power plants in operation, with an installed generating capacity of 3,310 megawatts (MW). Seven more plants with a capacity of 3,420 MW are under construction and scheduled for completion by 2009. In addition, there are two research reactors, which produce most of the country's weapons-grade uranium. Nuclear power accounts for about 2.7 percent of India's generating capacity.
Under a July 2005 deal, agreed in principle between India and the United States, New Delhi would commit itself to certain non-proliferation standards including allowing international inspections of its civilian nuclear plants. In return, it would gain access to U.S. civilian nuclear technology, including fuel and reactors denied for 30 years. India's military facilities would not be subject to inspections under the deal.
The agreement hinges on India separating its nuclear facilities into civilian and military components. The United States has said it expects the "great majority" of India's nuclear reactors to be placed in the civilian list. But top Indian nuclear scientists are opposing this, saying it would place restrictions on the weapons programme. Only four nuclear power plants in operation (capacity 620 MW) and two under construction (capacity 2000 MW) are currently under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Dr. Singh said this week that New Delhi would place nuclear reactors that generate about 65 percent of atomic power in the civilian list and open to inspections, in effect stating that although the United States is entitled to expect a whole lot of things, to what extent India will comply is solely her prerogative.
Indian scientists are especially opposed to classifying the experimental "fast-breeder reactor" (FBR) programme in the civilian list, saying it is part of the country's research efforts. The FBRs, which use spent fuel from existing heavy water reactors to process plutonium, are intended as the mainstay of the country's nuclear power programme. Their concerns are justifiable, and surely the deal, of which I know nothing as of now (wink, wink) would have taken care of such fears and issues to the satisfaction of all concerned.
All in all, even if the Opposition may term this an outright sellout of Indian interests, we have to understand that in today’s world, it is highly impractical to expect that someone will give you something without expecting to give up something in return. Besides, as far as safety and security are concerned, well I am of the view that even if blemished by the Iraq matter, wherein although it directly instigated no conflict, the IAEA still is the premier body as far as atomic energy is concerned, and allowing them access to our civilian nuclear reactor facilities would only improve the state of affairs beyond the current great position that we are in.
The cordiality and bonhomie that was evident in the body language of George W. Bush vis-à-vis Dr. Singh shows the camaraderie the two statesmen share. Based on the foundation of the pro-India presidency of Bill Clinton, methinks this is the beginning of a new chapter in India’s relations with the US, a beautiful chapter marked by trust and friendship.