Inter-collegiate Debate

The Nuclear Agreement with the US is Favourable to India's National Security

The second Intercollegiate Debate was organized in collaboration with the Department of History, Stella Maris College on the subject, The Nuclear Agreement with the US is Favourable to India's National Security, on 24 March 2006. The debate was open to colleges in and around the city by fielding teams consisting of 2 speakers, one for and the other against the topic.

The Panel of Judges for the Debate was headed by Mr. P.M. Belliappa, a distinguished civil servant. The other members of the Panel were Ms. Visa Ravindran, Founder Member of CSA and Ms. Vimala Stephen, Lecturer, Stella Maris College.Cash prizes of Rs. 3000, Rs. 2000 and Rs. 1000 were given to the teams that stood first, second and third respectively. Three special prizes of Rs. 500 each were given for individual performance. Participation certificates were given to all.

The debate was lively and it was clear that the students had prepared extremely well for the event. Their conceptual understanding and research work was much appreciated by the enlightened audience. Some of the arguments raised by the participants in their presentations were:-

For the motion

  • The deal elevates India's global status and is a landmark in the struggle of developing nations to stand on an equal footing with the first world.
  • It is the first and most important step towards full acknowledgement of being a nuclear weapons state.
  • The mitigation of India's energy deficit which will otherwise undermine high growth rates in the long run will be its most beneficial outcome.
  • India's ability to sustain a minimum credible nuclear deterrent is adequately protected.
  • Under the deal, the IAEA will develop India centric guidelines and India can negotiate the terms and conditions of the inspections.
  • India is no longer obliged to meet its commitments under the deal if access to nuclear fuel and technology is interrupted.
  • It lets India decide which future reactors can be designated as civilian and hence open to safeguards.

Against the motion

  • The deal is an instrument for the US to serve its own hegemonic interests and cap India's nuclear capability.
  • India is pandering to the interests of global hegemony rather than that of a multipolar world by subordinating itself to the geopolitical order that the US seeks to build.
  • As a result of the nuclear agreement, India has been forced to alter its traditional foreign policy, like for example its friendly relationship with Iran
  • It will undermine India's nuclear deterrent and place India at a severe disadvantage vis-a-vis China.
  • It could pave the way for more exceptions to irresponsible nuclear powers which would not serve the interests of a peaceful world.
  • Even after the agreement, nuclear energy will only form 3-5% of India's energy consumption in 2020, hence its contribution to energy security is insignificant.
  • It will result in India opening up a number of other sectors to US companies and help the US further its own economic power.

 
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