i had expressed dismay by the nuclear renaissance talk of our prime minister. in a well written article by Brahma Chellaney, noted expert on defense matters, has politely blasted this argument. i reproduce it in full below.

Second, India can miss no bus because a “nuclear renaissance” remains chimerical. Even the Prime Minister has referred merely to the “talk the world over of a nuclear renaissance.” In fact, ever since such talk began in the mid-1990s, the share of nuclear power in global electricity has stagnated at 16 per cent. Today, 429 power reactors worldwide generate 370 gW, with just another 24 under construction, but none in the U.S. Ironically, as Finance Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh starved the indigenous nuclear-power programme of funds for expansion. The nation has a right to know whether his new-found interest in nuclear power is centred on imports.

it is becoming very clear in this india-america-manna-from-heaven-nuclear-deal that false facts and rhetoric seems to be ruling the roost. there is no renaissance for nuclear power anyhwere in western world and we are living in a illusionary world by talking about a dangerous technology as god given solution to be delivered by american nuclear lobby.

and even more dangerous is our urban upper middle class is being fed with nuclear gung-ho by half facts and misplaced details which will mean that pressure on politicians will increase manifold to close the deal. after all whatever america does is miracle for upper middle class india, a segment that does not know about enviornmental safeguards, rule of law and community power across america.