Welcome to the Nuclear Family

Yesterday was a day of monumental importance to India. India has received a full waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a cabal of elitist nations which decide who can and cannot use Nuclear Technology.

I am no nuclear tech. expert and am hence not going to delve into the viability of nuclear technology in satisfying India's ravenous hunger for power.

Neither am I a political strategist who can look into the fallout of this deal with respect to geo-strategy. But there are two things that stand out that even a layman like me can notice.

Firstly, this act pretty much completes the aligning of India with the U.S and the West in terms of international geopolitics. At this moment it is impossible or at least very difficult to talk about the long term implications of this move i.e. whether it is of net positive or negative consequence to the ambitions of India. However what can without doubt be said is the fact that India has set itself on a course which is a marked shift in its political strategy thus far.

Secondly, it is our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's moment in international history. Mr. Singh had almost two decades back led a then very unpopulist movement called 'economic liberalization' and that has turned out well of India (at least thus far). I hope that he has made the right choices this time too. I have to say that I am really impressed by the personal conviction with which he has led this campaign. Conviction and the balls to take up unpopular but much needed decisions are qualities that are as rare in India as the fuel grade Uranium and Plutonium that we so desperately seek.

Kudos Mr. Singh. Here's to you!