India and the NPT...

[James Peter]

So, what do people make of Bush's deal with India? Is it acceptable to fly in the face of the NPT? Should Pakistan be shown the same treatment?

Discuss.

Source

[Ryokan]

So, what do people make of Bush's deal with India? Is it acceptable to fly in the face of the NPT? Should Pakistan be shown the same treatment?

Discuss.

Source

I think it is a good idea. At the end of the day, India is a friend, a successful democracy, and the model we should support. They also have been responsible holders of nuclear weapons thus far, so... pakistan should not get the same treatment, however, because they turned into an Everything For $1 million Dollar Nuclear Technology Emporium.

[James Peter]

I think it is a good idea. At the end of the day, India is a friend, a successful democracy, and the model we should support. They also have been responsible holders of nuclear weapons thus far, so... pakistan should not get the same treatment, however, because they turned into an Everything For $1 million Dollar Nuclear Technology Emporium.

A responsible holder of nuclear weapons who just a few years ago almost got into a very ugly, very radiocative spat with a neighbout?

Also doesn't allowing a country who defies the NPT to not face sanctions rather weaken the NPT as a whole? I'd have thought this sends us the message that as long as you're too powerful to not have as an ally you can do what you like...

Just playing Devil's Advocate, not sure where I actually stand on this right now. I can understand the pragmatism involved but that doesn't necessarily make it 'right'.

[Ryokan]

A responsible holder of nuclear weapons who just a few years ago almost got into a very ugly, very radiocative spat with a neighbout?

They didn't though. They proved willing to negotiate, and back away. The US, Russia, and China have all done the same thing in the past, especially right after you get them. That shows responsibility.

Also doesn't allowing a country who defies the NPT to not face sanctions rather weaken the NPT as a whole? I'd have thought this sends us the message that as long as you're too powerful to not have as an ally you can do what you like...

But as long as you are to powerful not to have as an ally, you can have nukes. Getting nukes, breaking the NPT, has always been about that in reality. International law isn't really international LAW. Its about international concensus. Powerful countries can build the concensus they need if they don't make people too angry. iran's domestic policies and internal rhetoric have made compromise impossible. Pakistan has sold their technology. They can't compromise. If Brazil or Japan armed themselves today, their would be alot of talk, but in the end...

Just playing Devil's Advocate, not sure where I actually stand on this right now. I can understand the pragmatism involved but that doesn't necessarily make it 'right'.

Rarely is anything "right" these things. Just shades of gray.