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The much heralded Indo-US civil nuclear deal for co-operation in nuclear power is fraught with controversies. Nuclear power is a double-edged term - as it may refer to peaceful power generation or the production of nuclear weapons capable of mass destruction. The benefit of this ambiguity has been repeatedly exploited by a de-facto nuclear weapons state, India. The conclusion of this deal in the form of a signature on 123 Agreement in October 2008 between India and the US has created yet another international dogma. The end of 1960s saw the developing states of the world striving hard to acquire nuclear weapons technology. Therefore, the creation of the nuclear non-proliferation regime to control and limit the development of nuclear weapons became an imperative need. At the centre of this regime, is the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT), which came into force in 1970, and has been ratified by 189 countries. The objective of the treaty is to curtail the spread of nuclear weapons technology and ensure disarmament. The NPT classifies the world into two groups; the Nuclear Weapons States (NWS) which include the USA, Russia, the UK, France and China, and the Non-Nuclear Weapon States (NNWS), which comprise the rest of the world. According to the NPT, a NWS is one which has manufactured and tested a nuclear explosive device prior to 1st January 1967. Under Articles I and II of the NPT, the NWS undertake not to help the NNWS to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, and the NNWS permanently renounce the pursuit of such weapons. To ensure the commitment towards treaty obligations, Article III of the NPT authorizes the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect the nuclear facilities of the NNWS.India has never been a member of the NPT. However, it tested a 'peaceful nuclear device', as it was then described by the Indian government) in 1974. This was the first nuclear device developed and tested after the creation of the NPT and hence it raised new questions about how civilian nuclear technology could secretly be diverted to weapons programmes (dual-use technology).
Turkey's FM says Iran nuclear deal "a test" for Vienna Group
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the discussion topic should be Vienna Group's response to Iran, not sanctions.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the discussion topic should be Vienna Group's response to Iran, not sanctions. At a joint press conference with his Brazilian and Spanish counterparts following the second day of the Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Davutoglu said, "now we have to look ahead." Davutoglu said Turkey and Brazil's efforts were aimed at defusing tension and paving the way for a diplomatic solution to reach a final settlement in Iran's nuclear program. "This is a test for all of us whether we will solve problems through conflict or negotiation. As Turkey and Brazil, we convinced Iran to use diplomatic means. Tehran deal was reached thanks to flexible policies by Iranian administration," he said. Foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran and Brazil signed a deal where Iran committed to give the 1,200 kg of 3.5 percent enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for 20 percent enriched uranium it will receive from Western countries to be used as fuel in the nuclear research reactor in Tehran. Tehran will receive the enriched uranium in Turkey from the Vienna Group, comprising of the U.S., France, Russia and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Recalling that Iran has fulfilled its responsibility to send a letter to IAEA, Davutoglu said that it was now time to talk about diplomacy to move forward. "Yes, this is a success achieved by Turkey and Brazil but it is also a result of U.S. President Barack Obama's policy of engagement and many-sidedness," he added
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