Resources
Letter signed by 15 former US government officials, diplomats and current international legislators sent to US Senators on November 15, 2006.
The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation released the letter to US Senators government officials and current international legislators expressing concern about the danger of allowing nuclear trade with India for the continued sustainability of non-proliferation achievements built over more than three decades. The letter was signed by Lt. Gen. Robert Gard (USA, Ret.), Amb. Thomas Graham, Jr (Ret.) who was lead US negotiator of the indefinite extension of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 1994-1995, former Secretary Robert McNamara , Amb. Robert Gallucci (Ret.) who was former Assistant Secretary of State, and Amb. Rolf Ekeus who was Chairman of the UN Special Commission on Iraq, and Members of the Bundestag, among others.The study's conclusions, contained in the study's executive summary on page 2, include:
- Nuclear power's contribution to India's energy sector will remain "marginal' through 2015-2035"
- Even optimistic scenarios for the development of nuclear power in India, based on unproven thorium technologies, "suggest nuclear would contribute only 9% of total generation capacity by 2032"
- "Economic growth targets could be attainted without significant increases in nuclear capacity and nuclear capacity will do little to reduce India reliance on foreign sources of oil and gas
- Clean coal technologies, demand side management and renewable energy would have a greater impact on reducing carbon emissions than substitution based solely on nuclear energy.
- Development of nuclear energy today "does not meet India's energy needs as expressed by proponents of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative.
India and Iran: WMD Proliferation Activities, CRS Report, November 8, 2006.
India, like most other states, does not support a nuclear weapons option for Iran. However, its views of the Iranian threat and appropriate responses differ significantly from U.S. views. Entities in India and Iran appear to have engaged in very limited nuclear, chemical and missile-related transfers over the years, and some sanctions have been imposed on Indian entities for transfers to Iran, the latest in July 2006. This report will be updated as necessary.U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation: A Side-By-Side Comparison of Current Legislation, CRS Report, August 28, 2006.
This report provides a thematic side-by-side comparison of the provisions of the two bills, H.R. 5682 (as agreed) and S. 3709 (as reported), with the Administration’s proposed legislation, H.R. 4974/S. 2429.From Bad to Worse: America’s N-Deal with India, Economist editorial, July 20, 2006.
The damage done by George Bush's proposed nuclear deal with India gets worse and worse. Already weakened by the nuclear antics of Iran and North Korea, the web of treaties and controls that seeks to halt the bomb's spread is starting to unravel. Congress, hitherto a staunch defender of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and all it stands for, is poised to allow America's laws to be amended to accommodate civilian nuclear trade with India, despite that country's bomb-building.Civilian Nuclear Cooperation -- New Delhi's Message to Washington: Drop Dead by Henry Sokolski, The Weekly Standard, September 6, 2006.
Some people just can't take yes for an answer. A year ago, the White House proposed giving India civilian nuclear help in hopes of improving relations with New Delhi. That India had used earlier U.S. nuclear assistance to test a bomb in 1974 and then proceeded to test more weapons in 1998 was forgiven. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers went through the tedious task (over the loud objections of nonproliferation critics) of changing 30 years of U.S. laws so the White House could export sensitive nuclear goods to India. How has all this been greeted in New Delhi? With imperious contempt.July 2006 Report of the International Panel on Fissile Materials by Z. Mian, A.H. Nayyar, R. Rajaraman, and M.V. Ramana.
The report examines India’s fissile material production capability and how the US-India deal would affect production of nuclear weapon-usable material. The report concludes that under the agreement, India would be able to increase its nuclear weapon production from about 7 nuclear weapons per year currently to about 40-50 nuclear weapons per year. The report also notes that fuel shipment pursuant to the nuclear deal would free up India’s domestic uranium for use in its military program. A summary is available on p5-6.“India can make 50 nuke warheads a year.”
Notes that top former Indian intelligence official stated that India would have the capacity to make about 50 nuclear warheads a year under the nuclear deal.
Times of India, June 18, 2006“Nuclear Pig In a Poke” by former Sen. Sam Nunn.
The op-ed discusses the U.S. - India nuclear deal in the broader context of our greatest security threat -- nuclear terrorism -- and proposes a way to reduce the risks of the deal without rejecting it.
Wall Street Journal, May 24, 2006Congressional Research Service report on US Nuclear Cooperation with India: Issues for Congress by Sharon Squassoni (updated July 10, 2006).
Congressional Research Service Memorandum, March 22, 2006 on Energy Implications of the Propose US-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement by Mark Holt and Larry Parker
CRS, March 22, 2006Energy Implications of Proposed U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, CRS Memo, March 22, 2006.
This memo provides a brief overview of the major energy security and environmental implications of the proposed U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement.Power Points by Leonard Weiss in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, May/June 2006.
In this op-ed Dr. Leonard Weiss outlines why the US-India nuclear deal fails to address India’s energy needs effectively and makes recommendations for reducing greenhouse gases and addressing India’s energy needs through cheaper and more effective alternative energy solutions, energy efficiency and modernizing India’s electricity grid.
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, May/June 2006Think Again: US-India Nuclear Deal by Amb. Thomas Graham, Leonor Tomero and Dr. Leonard Weiss.
A nuclear deal announced in March would allow the United States to sell nuclear materials to India and, in return, bring parts of India’s nuclear program under international safeguards. But the pact undermines decades of nuclear nonproliferation work and gives too much freedom to a state with a questionable nuclear history. The authors refute assertions made by proponents of the US-India nuclear deal.
Foreign Policy, July 24, 2006Experts letter to Congress, Fix the Nuclear Cooperation Deal.
Arms Control Association, July 24, 2006Non-Proliferation Experts' Letter on Issues and Questions Related to July 18 Proposal for Nuclear Cooperation with India.
A November 18, 2005 letter to Congress signed by a bipartisan group of 19 former US government officials and experts, who urged Congress to "critically examine" the US-Indian proposal to allow for "full" US-Indian civilian nuclear cooperation.
November 25, 2005US-Indian Nuclear Deal: Proliferation Risks and Costs.
Background information, the implications of the agreement, and recommendations for strengthening the deal.
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, March 2, 2006Board Statement on Proposed US-India Nuclear Deal Announced July 19, 2005.
The Center's recommendations on improving the deal.
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, December 9, 2005India’s Nuclear Separation Plan: Issues and Views.
A detailed report by Sharon Squassoni of the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, with information on India's nuclear facilities, the factors influencing its nuclear separation plan, and the history of the agreement.
Sharon Squassoni, Congressional Research Service Web, March 3, 2006
U.S. Nuclear Cooperation With India: Issues for Congress.
Another report by Sharon Squassoni of CRS. It addresses the considerations Congress must now make regarding the deal, including its effect on the international nonproliferation regime, and looks at the role of Congress now that a separation agreement has been announced.
Sharon Squassoni, Congressional Research Service Web, March 3, 2006Nonproliferation Issues Raised by U.S.-India Nuclear Deal.
Compiled by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Includes links to a number of CNS resources related to the US-India deal.
Center for Nonproliferation Studies, March 2, 2006
Neither a Determined Proliferator Nor a Responsible Nuclear State: India's Record Needs Scrutiny.
An analysis of potential weaknesses in India's non-proliferation credentials.
David Albright and Susan Basu, Institute for Science and International Security, April 5, 2006.India's Gas Centrifuge Program: Stopping Illicit Procurement and the Leakage of Technical Centrifuge Know-How.
An ISIS report cited by Senator Boxer during an April 5 hearing on the US-India deal with Sec. Condoleeza Rice. The report states that there is "a well-developed, active, and secret Indian program to outfit its uranium enrichment program and circumvent other countries’ export control efforts." It also concludes "that Indian procurement methods for its nuclear program leak sensitive nuclear technology."
David Albright and Susan Basu, Institute for Science and International Security, March 10, 2006.Separating Indian Military and Civilian Nuclear Facilities.
An ISIS analysis of what kind of separation plan is required to prevent civil nuclear cooperation from benefiting India’s nuclear weapons program.
Institute for Science and International Security, December 19, 2005Country Assessments: India and Pakistan.
Resources on India and Pakistan prepared by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), including reports on India's fissile materials and its gas centrifuge program.
Institute for Science and International Security, 2006Editorial Boards Slam US-India Nuclear Deal.
Excerpts from editorials against the deal, complied by the Arms Control Association.
Arms Control Association, March 2006''The U.S.-India Nuclear Deal: The End Game Begins.''
An overview of the agreement, its history, and controversy over the deal in both the US and India.
Dr. Harsh V. Pant, Power and Interest News Report, January 27, 2006The U.S. - India Nuclear and Space Launch Deals: What’s Strategically At Stake?
A presentation given by Henry Sokolski of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center before The Institute of International and Strategic Relations in Paris, France.
Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, January 5, 2006NTI.org's "India File."
An extensive overview of India's nuclear program from independence to today.
Gaurav Kampani, Nuclear Threat Initiative, updated January 2006Table of Indian Nuclear Forces, 2002.
A 2002 estimate of India's nuclear forces prepared by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Natural Resouces Defense Council, November 25, 2002India's nuclear forces, 2002.
A 2002 estimate of India's nuclear arsenal by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Robert Norris et al, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, March/April 2002Selected Indian Nuclear Facilities.
Information about selected facilities and their potential non-proliferation implications, prepared by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
Andrew Koch, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, July 1999