The programme commenced with a Welcome Address by Dr. Swaran Singh, President of Association of Asia Scholars, in which he briefly introduced AAS, its various activities and events. Ambassador Lalit Mansingh chaired the lecture. Among the dignitaries present in the audience were Dy. National Security Advisor Mr. Shekhar Datt, His Excellency John Mc Carthy, High Commissioner of Australia, Prof. Zoya Hasan, diplomats, scholars and media persons.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Lalit Mansingh referred to Prof. Frankel as a genuine friend of India, who had stood by India both in her good and bad times. Analysing the issues related to the nuclear deal, he questioned whether it would be a make or break the relationship or whether there would be 'life after the deal'.

Dr. Swaran Singh, Prof. Francine R. Frankel, Mr. Lalit Mansingh and Dr. Reena Marwah.

Prof. Francine R. Frankel who spent much part of her academic career in United States studies, at the outset raised certain questions regarding the broader framework of contemporary Indo-US relations. She argued that one must understand perhaps why the United States has invested so much political capital in the Indo US nuclear deal; How the nuclear deal advanced the Indian national interest and how much it was central in advancing the broader objective of a vibrant bilateral strategic partnership. She also questioned what would happen if the deal succeeded or failed ?

In her opinion, the single most important deal in 60 years of Indo-US relations was the nuclear deal. Quoting from Nicholas Burns, she added that he had referred to the nuclear deal as 'a symbolic centerpiece of a growing partnership' between the two countries.

Prof. Francine R. Frankel and Mr. Lalit Mansingh.

While delineating the US perspective she referred to the enlightened policy of the Clinton administration to define its policy in practice vis a vis India and Pakistan. India's dramatic emergence on the international scene was responsible for this volte-face in US thinking. She argued that the same delinking notion was well carried forward by President Bush, who adopted a constructive approach to commence a new era in Indo-US relationship.

US today, she added, "is chiefly concerned about the increasing threats emanating from the rising and proactive China, busy in sustained military modernization and political engagement on its peripheries. China has clearly emerged as a strategic rival for US, hedging against it consciously and constantly." She stated that, while the US, was formally staying away from any kind of containment of China, it was actively engaged with it at the trade and economic levels. At the same time, the US had also embarked on restructuring the post cold war security order and solidifying its key security interest against the hedging powers.

His Excellency John Mc Carthy, High Commissioner of Australia.

According to the CIA projections 2025 of the world order, India would be ranked fourth in the list of great powers preceded by the US, China and EU.

Against this backdrop, India became an important destination to be invested in politically and strategically in the US policy and strategic circles, and the US would help in building India as the major power in the 21st century. In her words, "Nevertheless, without resolving all the outstanding contentious issues with India, the forging of the strategic relationship would not be forthcoming. Thus, US plans of cooperation and collaboration with India in trade, economics, and dual use innovative frontier technologies, space and investment in key sectors of Indian economy sounded hollow. This was further compounded by India's non-accession to the NPT and declared nuclear weapon power status. Without resolving these long drawn issues of confrontation and mutual distrust between them, it was near to impossible for US to engage with India strategically", she continued.

Participants during the lecture meeting.

Within this framework, the nuclear deal, she added, gains "immense significance as an important initiative to clear the clouds of mistrust in bilateral relations. The 18th July 2005 civil nuclear cooperation agreement confers on India the same status as that of other nuclear weapon powers. This is a serious attempt from the side of the US to bring India on equal terms in global nuclear order. The agreement signed on 3rd March 2006 clearly indicated the US realization to treat India exceptionally to keep this strategic partnership alive. The implementation of the nuclear deal required altering the US domestic laws to suit the language acceptable to India in the 123 agreement, which was negotiated successfully by both countries. Thus, the nuclear deal acquires a centre stage, as a driving dynamic for arriving at a full-fledged strategic partnership. The successful completion of the nuclear deal would mean the clearance of a major hurdle in the way of the broader objective of strategic cooperation enshrined in NSSP agreement, as it will help both the countries to work rapidly in the areas of defence cooperation and defence production as intended earlier".

Prof. Frankel explained further that in the US view, the nuclear deal is beneficial to India, as it would help India to :

a) Enhance its national security and economic growth.

b) It would confer a de-facto nuclear weapon power status to India.

c) It would bring a major part of the Indian nuclear programme under IAEA safeguards, which is very useful for India's security.

d) The civilian programme would be opened for international cooperation as well as for investment.

e) Autonomy of the strategic programme would remain intact as the breeder programme is out of purview of the international safeguards.

Participants during the lecture meeting.

While outlining the Indian thinking, Prof. Frankel explained that with India embarking on a programme of diversifying its sources of energy, nuclear energy would have a major role to play in its future energy needs. "India is also looking forward for the trade in biotechnology, nanotechnology, space exploration, and advance weapon technologies with the US. India also views US as a major source of investment in its infrastructural development, modernization programmes, and development of R&D. Both Indian and US business communities believe that they stand to benefit immensely from the mutual cooperation that will help shape their relations in the 21st century.

She also pointed out that, "India is well aware of the fact that its economy is weaker than that of China, as India is only 40% of the actual size of Chinese economy. China dominates all the major economic forums in South East and Central Asia like ASEAN and SCO. China is rapidly increasing its naval presence in the Indian Ocean as well as in the Persian Gulf."

In her words, "India is vigilant in the backdrop of the Chinese hostile moves in the Indian Ocean. India is actively participating in all major naval exercises with US and Japan. While both India and US do not want to see China-dominating Asia alone, they are extremely cautious about every action that appears to be a containment of the former."

Participants during the lecture meeting.

In her concluding remarks, Prof. Frankel warned that if the nuclear deal failed, there would be a severe trust deficit and reiterated that, "The deal is beneficial for India as it helps in reshaping its security architecture. The failure of the deal will completely obscure the prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the future and will turn the vision of NSSP into a shattered dream. Therefore, the debacle of the deal will be a lost opportunity for India's craving to ascend as a great world power and most importantly, it will cast a shadow on its credibility for emerging as a major power in the 21st century."

In his Chairperson's concluding address, Ambassador Lalit Mansingh congratulated Prof. Frankel for delivering the thoughtful, nuanced and scholarly lecture.

The Lecture was followed by a discussion and question-answer session in which members of the audience raised several questions.

The Lecture Meeting concluded with a Vote of thanks to the Chair and the Speaker by Dr. Reena Marwah, Secretary General, AAS. She also thanked the audience for participating in the discussions by posing a variety of questions, which were significant in contributing to the deliberations.