India, US will go ahead with deal: People's Daily

The Chinese daily says N-deal has symbolic significance for India in achieving its dream of a powerful nation, reports Amit Baruah.

China's state-run People's Daily believes that though Manmohan Singh's Government will encounter "some resistance" in promoting nuclear cooperation between India and the United States, the two countries will continue to "advance" their agreement.

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In a second commentary this month, the paper noted on Thursday that though the agreement had faced constant setbacks for more than a month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had held firm in his desire to push through the deal.

The commentary, entitled "Nuclear agreement and big power's dream", recognised that the civil nuclear agreement "does boost India's nuclear energy development".

"As a matter of fact, India is extremely short of energy. Electricity shortage has been a big problem that has plagued people's normal life and sustainable economic development. The civilian nuclear power development will help India greatly ease power shortage and provide guarantee to a steady economic development," it said.

According to the People's Daily, the nuclear agreement had strong symbolic significance for India in achieving its dream of a powerful nation. "Since India declared independence in 1947, it has always been determined to become a big power."

And, then comes the underlying theme of the comment piece. "In fact, the purpose of the United States to sign civilian nuclear energy cooperation agreement with India is to enclose India into its global partners' camp, so as to balance the forces of Asia. This fits in exactly with India's wishes."

As a big country with rapid economic growth, India is keen on gaining greater influence in international affairs and playing a "decisive role" in the international arena.

"At this point, maybe it is not exaggerating to say that the India-US civilian nuclear energy agreement actually demonstrates its dream to become a big power. In addition, the United States has explicitly proposed in the agreement that it would not hamper or intervene in the development of India's military nuclear plan, which will also help the country achieve its goals to be a nuclear power," the paper added.