123 Agreement: The Forgotten Issues

123 Agreement: The Forgotten Issues

(Deccan Herald 10 Sep 2007) 

Maj Gen Mrinal Suman

In the recent debate over 123 Agreement, two major underlying issues have been totally overlooked. One, 123 Agreement is not an isolated and stand-alone development. It is a step, albeit an important one, in the growing relationship between India and the US. Both sides have come to recognise congruence of national interests and decided to work towards building a long-term strategic relationship.

Lease and sale of Weapon Locating Radars in 2003 was the first sign of changing US attitude. A number of working groups were constituted for regular dialogue at different levels to sort out irritants. Contacts at service-to-service military level became more intense and frequent. Joint land, air and naval exercises helped develop better understanding, with "more complex and patterned" war games being planned for the coming years. India has also emerged as an important member of the Quartet – the US, Australia and Japan being other members. 

The pace of cooperation in defence technology got a boost with the signing of New Framework of Defence Relationship in June 2005, to promote technology transfers, co-production, joint development and collaborative research. Regular meetings of Defence Policy Group have helped develop synergy in defence interests. Lease of two P-3C reconnaissance aircrafts marked another watershed.

Indo-US relations got a major boost with the announcement of Strategic and Technological Partnership Initiative during Manmohan Singh’s visit to Washington in Jul 2005. The US accepted India as a "responsible state with advanced nuclear technology” and offered to cooperate with India on civilian nuclear energy issues. It facilitated establishment of a regulatory framework for promoting strategic trade and high-technology commerce by addressing mutual concerns. As a follow up, a comprehensive Science & Technology Framework Agreement was concluded in Oct 2005 with an IPR protocol facilitating collaborative research and joint development. The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty of 2005 assured mutual help to investigate offences related to terrorism, narcotics, trafficking and other organised crimes.

123 Agreement has been clinched after prolonged and somewhat tortuous negotiations. Civil nuclear energy is one component of a larger energy dialogue between India and the US. It also covers oil and gas, clean coal technologies and non-conventional energy sources. That brings one to the second issue. What has prompted India to join hands with the US and discard its decades old policy of not aligning with any super power?

Despite India’s best efforts to develop good neighbourly relations with China, the Chinese response has been highly negative and at times even bordering on hostility. During the last two decades, recognition of Sikkim as a part of India is perhaps the only friendly gesture emanating from Beijing. Otherwise, it’s every policy and every act has been anti-Indian. The list is endless.

China continues to stall resolution of the border dispute. Every Indian effort to hasten the process is met with delaying tactics. China, at times, has gone to the extent of reopening settled issues. Recently, it reneged on the mutually agreed principle of not disturbing settled population. China has conveyed an unmistakable indication that it wants the boundary issue to remain unsolved.

Non-issue of visa to officials from Arunachal Pradesh was a deliberate step to needle India. Chinese Ambassador’s statement regarding their claims over Arunachal Pradesh was intentionally timed to pressurise India. Regular Chinese intrusions in disputed areas have revealed their sinister intentions. The Chinese have been surreptitiously strengthening their ground positions, while overtly carrying out boundary talks.

Despite the world pressure, China continues to prop Pakistan as a proxy against India by transferring nuclear and missile technology. At no stage has it considered it necessary to assuage Indian sensitivities or remove apprehensions. Similarly, it continues to encircle India by establishing naval bases. It has been cultivating India’s neighbours only to checkmate India’s growing stature.

China has been a staunch opponent of India’s claims for a permanent seat in the Security Council. It has totally forgotten the support extended by India to help it get entry into the world body. Agreed that nations are not expected to be grateful, but then India is justified in getting upset with the Chinese intransigence.   

In view of continuing and unabated Chinese hostility, India has no option except to make common cause with the US. China has lost a golden opportunity to develop permanent and intimate friendship with India. If today India is leaning towards the US, China has itself to blame. It is China which left no other option for India. Pro-China opponents of 123 Agreement will do well to mull over this aspect. 

Instead of faulting the Indian Government for growing Indo-US intimacy, they should question China for its obduracy and anti-Indian stance. China should have anticipated that its continued antagonism will force India to seek friends elsewhere. In a way, 123 Agreement signifies India’s growing confidence to assert itself to secure its strategic interests.