Here are the contributions to the topic from experts:

Dhruvesh Sanghvi
This topic is a difficult one unless people have real content for this topic.
Sometimes it is possible that we might not be able to structure this GD well.
I think one of the possible structure would be:
Start:
(1) We need to look at the 123 agreement that is in progress ... and why this de
al has hit a road block. We can also find what are the unclear parts of this dea
l!!

Some background information:

Why US wants this deal to go through:
(2) The reasons given by US:
India is a very old and stable democracy. US and India have been friends for lon
g time. As india is growing at a blistering rate the need for fuel would be larg
e. and hence will create a lot of burden on fuel resources (crude, coal, etc).
US can help by supplying nuclear fuels and will benefit (money) by selling it to
India.

(3) The reasons that analysts give: (the unclear parts)

It is a strategic move so that it can play south asian politics well
The dominance of China in this region makes India a natural ally of US.

Viral Vora
(1) The Indo-US nuclear deal has undergone a lot of roadbumps. Both sides have t
ried their best to preserve their interests.
(2) The UPA has also had the burden of convincing the left that the deal is not
a mere kowtow to US muscle power.
(3) For President Bush especially this deal is supposed to be the saving grace o
f his rocky career in office.
(4) The deal presents US with one of the biggest markets for Nuclear energy viz.
India.
(5) The pressure on the deal is mounting because once the republican government
goes out of office, India is unlikely to garner so large a support in the US Con
gress.
(6) The 123 agreement in its latest draft has been well negotiated by India. The
key take-aways from India from the 123 agreement are that India will be able to
reprocess used fuel, the US suppliers will be open to India after a long time,
the US govt. will compensate India in case it decides to withdraw supply, it als
o gives India the option to forge ties with other countries. At the point of Ind
ian nuclear establishments being open to US examination and review, India has sm
artly divided its facilities into civilian and defence facilities and opened onl
y the civilian facilities to checks.
(7) All in all, now the deal is not so unclear and will also considered to be a
great step forward for the Indo-US relationship.

Karishma Savla
While discussing about the Indo US nuclear deal, I we should discuss about the b
enefits the deal brings for our country.
(1) The nuclear deal removes hurdles for India to procure nuclear technology
and fuel and gives access to America's high and dual technologies.
(2) India can built more power plants. 15 fuctional and seven undr development.
(3) Increasing energy needs require alternate soln. India can do away wih
dependence on foreign countries for oil and fuel supply
(4) Also New Delhi proved US to be a strategic ally rather than countries like P
akistan, Iran or Afghanistan which support terrorist activities, which US is try
ing to fight against.
(5) It was difficult for US president to sell the point to US Congress since,
India is not a signatory of NPT and in the past India had secretly carried out t
wo nuclear test in the year 1974 and 1998.
(6) One of the reasons why UPA government is opposed against signing the deal is
because they consider it to be a sell-out and acceptance to America's supremacy
.

Regards,
Manish sir
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#2 15th April 2008
BijoyShah
Getting Started Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 8

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Indo-US Pact - Nuclear Deal or Unclear Deal?
1] 123 agreement - agreement for cooperation as a prerequisite for nuclear deals
between the US and any other nation.
2] Hyde Act - Amendment in 123 agreement (for India) by which the U.S. will prov
ide access to civilian nuclear technology and access to nuclear fuel in exchange
for International Atomic Energy Agency-safeguards on civilian Indian reactors.
3] Economic benefit - The deal will spur India's economic growth and bring in $1
50 billion in the next decade for nuclear power plants, of which the US wants a
share.
4] India has 24% of the world's thorium reserves (but not sufficient technology
to process thorium and use it for nuclear power) and meager 1% of the global ura
nium reserves (So if the deal takes place, it can get access to nuclear fuel and
other technologies required for nuclear power).
5] India has been for long a good friend of Russia (diplomacy is one aspect but
at the same time we need to be technologically advanced)
6] Political opposition (The Left parties opposing the deal and even ready to wi
thdraw support and BJP saying that it can compromise India's nuclear weapons pro
gram)
7] Yes, certain areas of deal are unclear and a lot of efforts need to be taken
in future. India must negotiate a safeguards agreement with the IAEA and the NSG
(Nuclear Suppliers Group) must agree to modify its export control standards to
permit nuclear cooperation with India.