Mission N-Deal

It is heartening to see our government hanging on to the US nuclear deal. It is not very common to see national governments finding a mission and leaving no stone unturned to achieve it. These are the qualities we usually identify with private sector. Isn't it an example of management by objectives? The most essential point about the whole saga of N-deal is that it is not driven by any political ideology. The concerns about energy security are driving the government to burn midnight oil and bring the N-deal initiatives to their logical ends. The BJP, if it were in power, would have striven to achieve the same deal.

Were we ever seen discussing issues like energy security with such a high level of publicity, earnestness and volubility? As a nation, we have come of age. A common man now fairly knows what the N-deal is all about. If pulled off, the deal will go a long way in ensuring Manmohan Singh's august place in the annals of political history of India. Some demerits notwithstanding, the deal is historic and is of a far-reaching strategic importance to us. The deals assumes greater importance if we are serious about developing our nuclear power generation sector. On the other hand, our relations with the US will not be affected very adversely if the deal comes apart. Be that as it may, the deal and the debate it has entailed in the country augurs well for our democracy. Like good 'argumentative Indians' let us continue debating the deal. We have a government that is keen to answer our every query and dispel our every doubt.

On their part, the Left must find out the alternatives of securing our energy future if the N-deal route is not acceptable to them. They must say they are not interested in nuclear power and do not give a damn about the need for accessing the global nuclear commerce. (In fact, they have never been believers in any kind of nuclear energy development). They must also suggest an alternative model to achieve the ends which are supposed to be achieved through the N-deal with the US. In 21st century and in a country of a large upwardly mobile middle class, you cannot just play the politics outside 'circle of reason'. Nobody is going to listen to the left, if their arguments continue to have a smack of ideology. Let your message be clear and constructive. Let your arguments be reasoned and logical. You must be seen being concerned about the issues like energy security and must work hard to think up an alternative solution. Your politics cannot be effective if you make yourselves seen as perpetual naysayers by your own countrymen.

In the meantime, let us wait for a few more Mulayam Singh Yadavs to emerge from the backstage and show support to this historic initiative.