ABSTRACT
This article argues that the Indo-US nuclear deal on civil nuclear energy cooperation was essentially an American offer that the Indians made the most of. The idea was neither an initiative of the Indian government nor a result of its successful foreign policy. It was the result of an initiative by US leadership driven policy, backed by an eager Indian political leadership. For all the strategic planning in the US, and its strategic dialogue with the Vajpayee-led BJP government in New Delhi, there would have been no deal had it not been for President Bush. The media in India was largely ignorant of this subject. However, it played a signifi cant role in politicising the deal. While that delayed the deal’s acceptance in India, it also made it easier for the media to report on it, and ironically help the Indian government clear hurdles domestically.
