Mr. Karat, are you listening?

In the last one month we, in India, have witnessed a lot of political action with reference to the 123 Nuclear Agreement. Thanks to the Leftists (Mr. Karat, President of the Communist Party of India, and Co.) who are chronically programmed to oppose any positive change.

Dear Mr Karat:

You have vociferously opposed what has been termed as a historic international deal by India. You have made scathing remarks on the Government's international policy and have castigated all those who support the deal. Here are a few observations. I'm sorry if I give the impression that I consider you a spoilsport.

1. Foreign policy:

Foreign policy is a dynamic enterprise, which addresses the realities of today in the context of our concerns for tomorrow. In this ever changing world, why should India remain static? The Common Minimum Programme is not in the nature of a Stand-Still Agreement with the Left. India cannot remain Still and Standing while the world moves on.

India needs to address the forging of close ties with major players in a globally changed environment. The end of the Cold War, the disintegration of the former USSR, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Warsaw Pact, the emergence of China as a key Asian power and the formation of the European Union are some examples of expansive changes in world dynamics. India, since the opening up of the economy, has been recognised as a significant global player. India must recognise the role that it is destined to play and the leadership of India must ensure that we contribute our might in policy-making to meet the emerging global challenges.

Sir, for you to opine that the civil nuclear energy cooperation is a compromise and a step towards weakening the sovereignty and stature of India betrays lack of understanding of contemporary politics and the dynamics of change. Also, your statement that Naval exercises with countries like Japan, Australia and US are bad for India's security only makes you look like a curmudgeon.

2. Nuclear Power:

You undermine the importance of nuclear power and emphasize its limited contribution to our overall power generation: you say that it is just 3% presently and it cannot exceed 7% even if the ambitious plans for expansion are implemented by 2020.

The argument is preposterous. With exponential growth in demand and on the assumption that the economy will continue to grow at 8 to 9%, the demand for electricity in 2020 will be around 4.5 lac megawatts. By 2030, it is expected to be anything between 8 to 10 lac megawatts. 7% of a million megawatts is 70 thousand megawatts. Comparing this with the present mere 2.7 thousand megawatts it cannot be regarded as a limited contribution. And mind you, these are conservative estimates. By opening up the civil nuclear energy sector to investments and by allowing private players a significant role, we can enhance our estimated levels of generation at least two-fold.

3. Concerns over the Hyde Act:

Mr Karat, you then state that the Hyde Act and its provisions run contrary to the assurance given by the Prime Minister in August, 2006. Kindly note that the 123 Agreement, after it is accorded the approval of Congress, will be the “last expression of the sovereign will” and the Hyde Act at any point of time cannot possibly override the provisions of the 123 Agreement. In the context of the 123 Agreement, India is only bound by the terms there-of and not by any extraneous domestic legislation of the United States. Any prescriptions in the Hyde Act with reference to India’s foreign policy are neither binding on India nor will our foreign policy decisions be influenced directly or indirectly by the domestic law of any country. India is no puppet in the hands of the premiers of other nations.

Sir, Kindly listen to what Mr. Manmohan Singh and along with him intellectuals the world over are saying: The 123 Agreement, instead of impacting negatively on our sovereignty will allow us to be global players in a competitive world, your arguments to the contrary, not-withstanding.

Unfortunately, it is not out of choice but out of habit that the Left is 'crying'. May God give the Leftists some wisdom and some common sense to you Mr. Karat.

Yours truly,
Jalote

PS: You are steadily progressing on the path of a Left-Hara-kiri. I sincerely hope your bandwagon survives the next general elections.