Japan-India Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation: Implications of the New BJP Government

Abstract

This paper elaborates on possible policy changes in nuclear armament and nuclear energy fields under the new BJP government, and their implications for Japan-India civil nuclear energy cooperation negotiation. Essentially, the scope of possible civil nuclear energy cooperation between Japan and India may be limited; their cooperation will probably not exceed the level that the U.S. has agreed to because of Japan's strict position on nuclear non-proliferation. Even so, whether or not civil nuclear energy cooperation between Japan and India can be realized primarily depends on the will and attitude of the new BJP government regarding the issues of nuclear armaments and nuclear energy, especially the new government's treatment of the 2010 Civil Nuclear Liability Act.