Ajai Shukla: Changing Mindsets – The Brahmos Effect
Jan 29, 2008 (Business Standard)
It could be the new direction of Indian defence production. The Brahmos assembly plant in the DRDO missile complex in Hyderabad is, in every way, a multinational joint venture that churns out cutting-edge weaponry…That far-reaching shift in mindsets within the DRDO indicates a greater nimbleness than their colleagues in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Both establishments have faced the same problems. Since the start of India’s nuclear programme in the 1960s, and especially after the nuclear experiment of 1974, their world-view has been forged in the flames of technology denial. But now, after decades of painstaking autarky, the growing tide of offers of foreign collaboration is creating a new confidence. The traditional apprehension that doors could be shut in India’s face at any time is being whittled away by a new recognition of India today: a growing economic power, a responsible democracy, and a market that simply cannot be disregarded by anyone with a love for profits.
Congress Likened to Car with No Driver
Jan 29, 2008 (The Hindu)
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress-led coalition at the Centre was on Tuesday likened to a "motorcar" whose brakes were with the Left parties while it was riding without a driver. Senior leader Jaswant Singh told the party's National Council that earlier he used to believe that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in the driver's seat but has now realised that he is not. "The UPA is like a motorcar. The steering and accelerator is with 10, Janpath while the brakes are with Communists. Earlier I though Manmohan Singh was in the driver's seat but I have come to know that he is not," Singh said…He was referring to Government's decision to accept the US condition to open two-third of India's nuclear plants (14 out of 22) for international inspection.
US Sends Another Reminder on N-deal
Jan 29, 2008 (The Economic Times)
NEW DELHI: In a reminder that time is running out for the nuclear deal, the US has said it would be practical to complete the remaining steps in the operationalisation of the nuclear deal before US President George Bush remits office. Already the political focus in the US has started shifting away from Mr Bush and his policies to the US presidential elections where the spotlight is on Democrat candidates Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama. With this in mind, US ambassador David C Mulford, trying to give a broad sweep of the Indo-US bilateral ties, pointed out that a failure to complete the process now would mean that the nuclear deal would be put in cold storage at least for two years. Time is of the essence. It is practical to complete the processes, if we can, during the course of this administration, he said, and added: We have kept an eye on the timeline, and are sensitive to the fact that time is passing. So is India.
Drop Nuclear Deal with U.S.: INL Chief
Jan 28, 2008 (The Hindu)
CHENNAI: All India Political Affairs Committee of Indian National League (INL) on Sunday urged the Centre to drop the nuclear agreement with United States. Addressing the members, INL president Mohammed Sulaiman said although the United Progressive Alliance Government claimed that the nuclear pact would benefit the country, it might cause severe damage. Hence, it had to be dropped.
It is Better to Complete Nuke Deal During Bush Term: US
Jan 28, 2008 (The Hindu)
New Delhi (PTI): As delay continues to plague operationalisation of the nuclear deal, the US on Monday favoured completion of the processes involved in it during the tenure of the Bush administration, failing which "practical problems" can push it to 2010. US Ambassador David C Mulford reminded that "time is of essence" but underlined that Washington was "not pushing" India as it has "highest respect" for the political processes of this country. "It is practical to complete the processes, if we can, during the course of this administration," Mulford told journalists here. He pointed out that when the new President is elected in the US early next year, a new Congress will also come into being.
Timing of India Civil Nuclear Deal Unclear – Areva Head
Jan 28, 2008 (Reuters)
PARIS, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The head of French nuclear firm Areva (CEPFi.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) said in a newspaper interview that French civil nuclear cooperation with India hinged on an international deal whose finalisation was still unclear. "Everything depends on authorising civil nuclear cooperation with India and on that issue the timing is political. We are waiting on the starting line, this unlocking could take place this smmer as it could take place in 2010," CEO Anne Lauvergeon told French daily Les Echos…Sarkozy voiced support for India's controversial nuclear deal with the United States. If finalised, the deal would allow civil nuclear technology exporters like France to participate in a billion-dollar business with India.
Sarkozy Seeks Civil Nuclear Deal with India
Jan 25, 2008 (Reuters)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited India on Friday to cement ties with a booming Asian economic power, trying to boost civil nuclear cooperation and defence deals. Sarkozy also echoed Britain's recent support for India's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States have wielded exclusive veto power since 1945. Sarkozy voiced support for India's controversial nuclear deal with the United States. If finalized, the deal would allow civil nuclear technology exporters like France to participate in a billion-dollar business with India. The deal aims to give India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in more than 30 years, even though India has tested nuclear weapons and refused to join non-proliferation agreements.
PM Hopes for Early End to Talks with IAEA
Jan 25, 2008 (The Times of India)
NEW DELHI: Ahead of a fresh round of talks between India and IAEA for a safeguards agreement, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday that the negotiations are moving forward and hoped that these would be concluded "without loss of further time". "International discussions do take time," he said at a joint press conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy while replying to a question on delay in firming up the agreement with the global atomic watchdog. "The discussions are moving forward," Singh said, adding, "It is my sincere hope that the discussions can be concluded without loss of further time." The comments came as the two sides prepared to hold another round of discussions, possibly next week, to thrash out the agreement.
US Relations: Washington Embrace is Warmer and Closer
Jan 24, 2008 (The Financial Times)
When US President George W. Bush and Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister, signed a controversial nuclear deal in July 2005, it was assumed the agreement would not survive the political Washington meat-grinder. After all, Mr Bush was almost promising the moon – he would walk India into the nuclear clubhouse by getting Congress to change the law on non-proliferation and by persuading the international community to rewrite the rules of atomic commerce in favour of New Delhi. In return, India had to pay a small entry price by separating its civilian and military nuclear facilities and placing the former under international safeguards. Despite criticism from the vocal non-proliferation lobby in Washington’s Beltway, Mr Bush easily mobilised a domestic bipartisan consensus for a special dispensation. He is also confident the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group will endorse the Indo-US civil nuclear initiative.
India, France to Sign Mirage Deal
Jan 24, 2008 (MSN News)
New Delhi: India and France are all set to sign a memorandum of understanding on upgrading the 51 Mirage 2000 fighters of the Indian Air Force during French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s two-day visit to New Delhi. “The upgrade will mean that the Mirage 2000s will be turned into all-new aircraft with advanced radars and avionics,” senior officials told the HT on Wednesday, two days before Sarkozy’s arrival. Following the collapse of the Eurocopter deal, a big-ticket item that was to have been signed during Sarkozy’s visit, the movement on the Mirage upgrade deal is being seen as an effort to reinvigorate bilateral defence ties… On the nuclear front, officials from both sides have let on that India and France have hammered out a framework for civil nuclear commerce. Following recent talks in Paris, top Indian officials confirmed that a deal was ready to be signed should New Delhi decide to give the green signal.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy to Arrive in India on Friday
Jan 24, 2008 (The Economic Times)
NEW DELHI: French President Nicolas Sarkozy will arrive in India on Friday on a two-day official visit. He will be the chief guest for this year's Republic Day Celebrations. Sarkozy will also meet the Indian leadership and discuss on several issues of bilateral and multilateral importance. Sarkozy is expected to discuss the possibility of civil nuclear cooperation between France and India. The intention of civil nuclear cooperation was spelt out in a joint statement after summit talks between the two countries in 2005-06. The document on civil nuclear cooperation will, however, not be signed as France is awaiting the finalisation of a safeguards agreement between India and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a change of rules of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
CPI for Nuclear Pacts with Russia, France
Jan 24, 2008 (The Hindu)
NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India on Wednesday favoured civilian nuclear cooperation agreements with countries other than the U.S. where draconian provisions such as the Hyde Act were not present. “Countries like Russia and France are willing to have nuclear cooperation with India and there is no Hyde Act also,” CPI General Secretary A. B. Bardhan told reporters here after releasing the draft political resolution to be taken up at the 20th party Congress in March. “The nuclear agreement with the U.S. will serve to deepen the global strategic partnership and create new opportunities for U.S. business in India. U.S. is striving for a “grand design on Asia” by co-opting India as a strategic ally and aiming to contain China,” it said. The draft resolution said: “[The] 123 Agreement is the culmination of the drift of the UPA government from the stated position of the Common Minimum Programme on oreign policy issues.”
Left Won’t Allow Govt to Go Ahead with Indo-US Nuke Deal: CPI
Jan 23, 2008 (The Economic Times)
NEW DELHI: As India's negotiation with IAEA is in its concluding stage, the CPI on Wednesday said the Left parties are determined not to allow the government to go ahead with the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. "I don't think that they (government) can go ahead (with the deal) like that," CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. He was responding to a question on what would the Left parties do if the government plans to go ahead with the deal despite its objections. He said the standoff on the nuclear deal between Left parties and the government continues. "The Left is determined not to allow to go the government to go ahead with the 123 agreement," he said. The senior Left leader, however, ruled out the possibility of mid term elections.
CPI Rejects CPM’s “Third-Front” Agenda
Jan 23, 2008 (The Financial Express)
New Delhi, Jan 23 Distancing itself from the CPI(M) agenda favouring a third alternative, the CPI—the second largest party in the Left Front—on Wednesday contended that such a formation cannot be a spontaneous affair. In its assessment of the current political situation which can be positive for the Congress in the near future, the CPI said that its decision on prospective alliances, that would be tuned primarily to keep the BJP out of power, would be based on the ‘‘prevailing situation.’’…The draft has also reiterated its stand on nuclear deal. "It is not the nuclear deal alone which is taking the situation almost to a breaking point. In equal measure, and perhaps more, it is the galloping price rise, the anti-people economic policies, the cynical unconcern about agrarian crisis and the grim spate of farmers' suicides which is resulting in growing disenchantment and conflicts," it said.
Issue of Iran is a Sensitive Issue for India
Jan 23, 2008 (The Economic Times)
NEW DELHI: A day after India launched an Israeli spy satellite, an Israeli diplomat said he considers India to be more helpful than China on putting pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme. Israeli diplomat Nimrod Barkan, who is the head of the Israeli foreign ministry’s Centre for Policy Research, said China is perceived to be more lenient towards Iran on the issue of its enrichment programme than even India. India is more helpful currently than China is, said Mr Barkan, who further said India’s relationship with the US has led to the Indian vote in the IAEA against Iran. China is not strong on pressuring Iran to stop enrichment of uranium. The Iranians feel that China may be more lenient that the West, said Mr Barkan, who is here for a round of political dialogue with secretary (east) N Ravi in the ministry of external affairs on issues related to the Middle East.
70 Business Heads To Accompany Sarkozy
Jan 23, 2008 (Business Standard)
The delegation represents defence, aerospace, IT and infrastructure sectors. Treating India and China on a par appears to have become a trend with the western nations. When he comes to India on January 24, French President Nicolas Sarkozy will be accompanied by the same delegation that went with him to Beijing two months ago. Representatives of around 70 French companies, including retail giant Carrefour, which plans to enter India, will accompany Sarkozy. Hospitality firm Accor, France Telecom, Groupe Danone, furniture manufacturer Gautier France, and electronics and semiconductor manufacturer ST Microelectronics will also be a part of the delegation, besides numerous defence, aerospace, information technology and infrastructure companies. Official sources say India and France are likely to finalise an agreement on the civil-nuclear cooperation during Sarkozy’s visit. The French had signed a hefty $29.62-billion deal for building nuclear reactors and supplying airbuses to China.
Ruling Congress Slams Left Ally’s “Third Front,”
Jan 22, 2008 (Reuters)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The ruling Congress party warned a decision by its communist coalition ally to seek a new political grouping ahead of a likely general election next year could open the way to victory for opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). India's largest communist party, which shores up Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's coalition, said at the weekend it would seek a "third alternative" to challenge India's two mainstream national parties, Congress and the BJP…A BJP victory could swing India to a more pro-market and pro-U.S. agenda after years of stagnation in economic reforms and problems over improving relations with Washington, partly due to the government's need to mollify leftist allies.
Brown Wants India at UNSC High Table
Jan 22, 2008 (The Times of India)
NEW DELHI: A British endorsement of India's bid to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council may not have set hearts a-flutter on Monday, but Gordon Brown's suggestion that Sachin Tendulkar had a strong case for knighthood certainly did. Answering questions after his talks with PM Manmohan Singh, the British PM said international problems could not be solved if India wasn't at the high table. Making a strong case for India's candidature as well as a reform of global institutions - which is now his theme - Brown and Singh said they were engaged in an "essay in persuasion" with the rest of the world. But all this was overshadowed by Brown's hope at the joint press conference that Sachin Tendulkar could actually be knighted.
France Wants N-coop with India, but Will Await IAEA Talks
Jan 21, 2008 (Hindustan Times)
France on Friday expressed interest in forging civil nuclear cooperation with India but said it would await the outcome of talks between New Delhi and IAEA on a safeguards agreement. The European country, which generates 90 per cent of electricity using atomic energy, said India needed to be brought into the international nuclear mainstream. "We are in favour of initialing a sort of strategic agreement but we have to wait for the International Atomic Energy Agency," visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told journalists in New Delhi soon after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Kouchner, who held wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday, said France is in "favour of India getting back to the international nuclear power agency. We have to create a situation in terms of international law. We are waiting for that."
Britain Lends Support to India-U.S. Nuclear Deal
Jan 21, 2008 (Reuters)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday it supported granting a waiver to India from a 45-nation group which polices exports of nuclear technology, a key step in finalising a nuclear energy deal with the United States. The deal is being vigorously opposed by communist allies of the ruling coalition on the grounds it compromises India's sovereignty. They have threatened to withdraw support and force an early election if the government presses ahead without their consent. "The U.K. supports the India-U.S. civil nuclear co-operation initiative with all its elements, including an appropriate India specific exemption to the Nuclear Suppliers Group guidelines," a joint statement issued at the end of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's visit to India said.
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