New Delhi,  August 03, 2007 - The Indo-US nuclear deal is being called the biggest breakthrough in years. The 123 agreement that will make the deal operational, was finally made public earlier on Friday.

This, after months of tough negotiations between Indian and American diplomats that took place, even as the deal battled its way through Parliament in Delhi and the US Congress.

Many have consistently raised concerns that this make-or-break deal might be bad for India but here is a look at more of the fine prints of the deal that has a life span of 40 years.

The 123 agreement is a civil nuclear deal, therefore, it will have no bearing on India's strategic and military programme and India can make a bomb. It is completely out of the ambit of the deal.

In the text of the deal there is a clause that says that the agreement will in no way be a hindrance to India's strategic programme. Therefore, India can continue to make a bomb with its own fuel.

What is clear from the draft of the 123 agreement is that there is no legal binding commitment on India to never test again. India, if it wants to, can choose to conduct a nuclear test.

If India does conduct a nuclear test, it will not be violating any international treaty or agreement because there is no mention of testing or detonation in this bilateral agreement.

Essentially, what the controversy has been over is whether if India conducts a test the Americans under their own laws would have the right to take back all the fuel that they give us.

Full Story: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070021267&ch=8/3/2007%202:51:00%20PM