Conference: India-United States Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

In association with Ambedkar Law University, Chennai, the University of Reading will be holding its second workshop, September 16-17, 2010, to examine various issues arising from the India-United States Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (123 Agreement). Here's the announcement:

University of Reading

Second Conference on India-United States Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

16-17 September 2010

The 123 Agreement was signed by the United States and India in 2008 to operationalise the Joint Statement by United States President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005 whereby India agreed to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities and place the former under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. The purpose of the Agreement is to facilitate the exchange of civil nuclear technology between India and the United States. The Agreement is exceptional in that it goes against the grain of several decades of United States non-proliferation practice and implicitly recognises India’s status as a nuclear weapons state. Despite claims that the Agreement benefits India by ending its nuclear isolation and contributing to its burgeoning energy needs, there has been stinted opposition to the Agreement; the Singh government narrowly survived a no-confidence motion brought by opposition parties in 2008 over the issue.

The University of Reading, in association with the Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai, is organising its second workshop on 16-17 September 2010 to examine various issues arising from the Agreement. The conference, which is generously funded by the British Academy, will run a full day of panels on 16 September and morning panels on 17 September. It will take place at the School of Law, Foxhill House, University of Reading. Panellists from South Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States will address such topics as the Agreement’s implications for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, issues of international trade law, human rights, international environmental law and theoretical perspectives.

Those who would like to attend the workshop can register by contacting Ms. Angela Foxon (a.foxon@reading.ac.uk), who can advise as to payment. The fee, which includes lunches and coffee breaks, is £30 for non-students and £15 for students. Reading staff and students can attend free of charge (though are still required to register). Numbers are limited. Cancellations to bookings made on or before Friday, 3 September will be refunded in full. Cancellations received after 3 September will be non-refundable. For any questions, please contact Dr. Robert P. Barnidge, Jr. (r.barnidge@reading.ac.uk).