US plans to broaden India’s access to nuclear technology, announced this week during an enthusiastic visit to Washington by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have their roots in designs from the earliest days of the Bush administration to build India’s stature as a counterbalance to a rising and problematic China. The proposed extension of nuclear access to what the White House likes to call “the world’s largest democracy” raises questions about potential impact on other countries with nuclear ambitions and designs for international status. That is especially true as the announcement comes just days before the European Union is to return to negotiations with Iran to end its nuclear-weapons programs and six-party talks are to take up again in Beijing on North Korea’s nuclear program.Full Story