I am not so sure of that. Because India would insist that US impose similar restrictions on China, Britan, France and Germany etc., (now that it demonstrated itself as one of the nuclear powered nations). US never did/could impose any restrictions on the five nations, but continues to have good trade relations with them. India is also in a similar situation as that of China in that the economy is internal and therefore self reliant. Therefore US knows that economic sanctions against India might not mean much in the long run. Besides how much one can blame the country for developing its defense capabilities. As far as precipitating an arms race in the subcontinent, its common knowledge that all the Muslim-league countries were vying with each other to obtain the nuclear weapons. What for is not so clear but obviously, given their historical aggressive nature, it would not be wise on India's part to be not prepared! Anyhow, a friendship treaty with India might infact work out in favour of best political interests of US, in that this will provide US an opportunity to contain the making of a second communist super power. It is precisely this the US and the west had been fighting against for several decades. Whether India will be a responsible nuclear power that US could trust is another question, but I am confident that it is the best choice for US when compared to China or Pakistan, given a stable democratic government and a nation committed to non violence and non aggression thus far.
Gunther. |
