9. Cessation of Future cooperation: Responding to US terms to cease cooperation in case India proceeds with further nuclear tests the PM had stated, "India’s position and development of nuclear weapons is an integral part of our national security. This will remain so."
The final act of the US legislation runs contrary to most of these assurances given by the Prime Minister. This includes provision of imposing restrictions and trade regimes barring access to dual use nuclear technology thus denying India its full nuclear fuel cycle. The annual good conduct certification by the US President remains. There are nine references to India’s role being one of support and complicity with the US designs on Iran. The act talks of India’s foreign policy being "congruent to that of the United States." Instead of an India specific additional protocol with the IAEA US law calls for a modified additional protocol meant for non-nuclear weapon countries etc.
Once again goal posts have been shifted. Two new provisions have been included concerning a) in case of US canceling its obligations it would help facilitating alternate fuel supplies from friendly countries of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. This is now restricted only under conditions of market failures and does not cover deliberate US termination. b) It was agreed that US would help build a strategic fuel reserve to ensure continuity of running our reactors for their lifetime. The final act now explicitly bars any reserve other than normal operating reserves required to run our reactors.
Under these circumstances, the argument that the country should wait for the final bilateral agreement is specious. Obviously, the US administration is bound by the provisions of its act while negotiating this agreement. This cannot be accepted by India as it negates the most significant, if not all, assurances made by the Prime Minister to the Indian parliament. Thus, further negotiations on this score must not proceed.
The CPI(M) demands a full fledged debate in the Indian parliament. Nothing short of the assurances made by the Prime Minister on August 17, 2006 can be acceptable.