The Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Agreement took years to turn into reality.

It did, because it served multiple interests, in multiple countries.

It did, to a great extent, because President George Bush decided it was time for India to come in from the cold. And he did everything and more, to ensure that not only his staff in the Whitehouse and State Department, but also reticent countries in the IAEA and the Nuclear Suppliers Group saw his point and agreed with him.

For India, a relatively good track record (except for our two nuclear tests) and an absolutely spick-and-span track record on nuclear proliferation, helped greatly. Of course, together with the fact that India happens to be the most tolerant and stable democratic force in the region. Not to forget also, that India has the largest and fastest growing market, making it a destination of choice and logic for American capitalist interests.

But if you look at the fine print, and the actions it has forced upon India over the past few years, you come to see that re-entering into international nuclear trade, has done wonders for transparency and accountability in our nuclear establishment.

The Indo-US civilian nuclear deal has got us to separate our civilian and strategic nuclear assets, clarifying what is where and intended for what use.

It has also got us to enter into safeguarded reprocessing agreements, streamline our nuclear industry (even if it is Government run and controlled), and yes, even move decisively towards a Nuclear Liability Bill.

This of course is in addition to the obvious benefit to India’s long-term energy basket and the obvious environmental benefits.

Last but not the least, by opening our nuclear industry and nuclear cycle to stringent international safeguards and inspections, we have allowed transparency at levels like never before.

Now lets consider Pakistan.

Years spent in the shadow of India’s largely indigenous nuclear industry, have forced Pakistan to allow the likes of A Q Khan – and his Khan Research Laboratories – a free run for decades.

Today as Pakistan seeks the crown of credibility, when Islamabad pleads for a copycat civilian nuclear deal with America, and an international status as a responsible nuclear power, it is time to reflect on what these really mean for a country that has been a rogue nuclear state for much of its existence.

Lets also consider the impact of undergoing a transformative process of accountability and transparency – which would be necessary to be eligible for international civilian nuclear trade – on Pakistan’s rogue nuclear establishment.

If Pakistan can bring A Q Khan and his Khan Research Laboratories, together with the rogue elements in its nuclear establishment to book, in a transparent and verifiable manner; if Islamabad can convince the Army and the ISI to allow him to reveal the highly complicated clandestine nuclear proliferation routes he fed and how he helped countries like North Korea and Libya move closer to nuclear weapons, it will be a big step forward towards acceptability.

There’s been wide speculation for a while now, that Pakistan has successfully – with American technological assistance – managed to separate the trigger mechanisms from its nuclear weapons and install safety protocols for the same. There’s also been talk of America helping to raise, train and equip a special Pakistani force to secure and protect its nuclear establishments and assets.

Now, if Islamabad can separate its civilians and strategic assets, while also declaring them formally; if Pakistan’s leadership can be persuaded to accept stringent international and IAEA/US-led verification processes; if Islamabad can be persuaded to sign the NPT and CTBT, would it not herald a new era of relative nuclear stability and security in the region?

If the world’s primary source of nuclear weapons and technology proliferation is reformed and brought in line under stringent international inspection regimes, would it not substantially lead to a much more stable South Asia, and a more stable and secure world?

If the US can examine the option of allowing a civilian nuclear programme in Iran, with reprocessing of spent fuel by a thrid country, why not Pakistan, which is perhaps America’s most valuable ally in the War On Terror?

Who knows? Perhaps one day, given the needs of Pakistan’s electricity grid, New Delhi may very well end up selling indigenous PHWRs to Pakistan!

Now wouldn’t that be sweet!