India and Japan Sign Controversial Nuclear Energy Deal

On November 11, India and Japan signed an unexpected nuclear power deal. This agreement, negotiated over six years, will allow Japanese corporations to export nuclear energy technology to India. It aims to improve ties between the two nations, despite opposition from various Japanese lobbying groups.

The deal will allow India to develop its nuclear energy sector in order to enhance its booming economic growth. India, one of the world’s fastest growing economies, seeks to advance its energy capacity. The Indian government already developed a plan to increase nuclear power usage to 25 percent of all energy consumption by 2050, up from 3 percent in 2015.

Japan has historically avoided nuclear deals with India due to the latter’s absence from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT prevents countries that are not one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the U.S., U.K., France, Russia, and China) from building and maintaining a nuclear military arsenal. India, Pakistan, and Israel are the only original non-signatories.

Japan, a victim of the world’s first nuclear strike,, has also experienced a number of civil nuclear plant meltdowns. , Traditionally, the country has  strictly emphasized nuclear non-proliferation within a military context. Thus, the new deal represents an aberration for many in Japanese foreign policy.

However, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe insists that the agreement will contribute to a peaceful, non-nuclear world. The deal includes a special clause that will nullify the agreement if India conducts a nuclear test. Moreover, India will not be allowed to import or create highly enriched uranium, which is required for the construction of nuclear warheads, without written Japanese authorization.

Despite the inclusion of these safeguards, Japanese lobbying groups have spoken out against Abe’s endorsement of the deal. Shaun Burnie of Greenpeace Japan recently stated that “there is no effective separation between India’s nuclear energy program and its weapons program, and the Japanese government’s Agreement conditions are meaningless. Approving nuclear trade with India is a geo-strategic decision to support further nuclear weapons proliferation in Asia.”

Nuclear power remains a key point of contention for the future of growing Asian economies. Though India primarily aims to build up its peaceful nuclear capacity, its nuclear weapons program must be closely contained as well. A proper balance between the two is key to a developing Asia.