Atin Basu presents a novel argument against the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal- a short but very stimulating post. And his argument, in my view, is perhaps the most convincing i’ve read until now.

So who will it make more powerful? The ruling elites. Who are these ruling elites? The ritualistic brahminical upper castes — irrespective of political hue — still rule India. These oppressors lord it over the lower castes (simplistic but generally true). So a nuclear deal that lets India retain a nuclear arsenal without any repurcussion strengthens the hand of these elites. This evil oppressive minority thus can continue to lord it over the rest of Indians. You may think that this is an argment that the left ought to be making — but they are not.