THE NUCLEAR ENERGY FACTOR IN INDIAN POLITICS
https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2017-2-53-147-159
Abstract
Nuclear energy is a key branch of the world power system. The nuclear energy development is viewed by India as one of the ways to resolve the problem of the energy supply. In 2008 the country gained more opportunities for developing nuclear power sector and solving the national power deficit problem after NSG lifted restrictions on nuclear trade. This resulted in foreign companies emerging on the Indian nuclear market. In 2011 after the major emergency at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan India faced numerous anti-nuclear protests backed by NGOs, including those with foreign funding, and political parties. The article deals with the question of the political role this anti-nuclear opposition plays in India. According to some researchers the protests are organized by the competitors in order to compromise the business of a Russian company Rosatom in India. However, such demonstrations are spread throughout the country and directed against the competitors of Rosatom as well. The article comes to conclusion that the protests are just a reflection of the political fights in India where nuclear energy is a significant political factor.
About the Author
A. A. Boyko
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Postgraduate Student of World Politics,
76, Prospect Vernadskogo, Moscow, 119454
References
1. Zakharov A.I. Strategicheskoe partnerstvo SShA i Indii: vyzovy dlia Rossii. [US and India strategic partnership: challenges for Russia]. Vlast’, 2016, no. 8, pp. 195-198. (In Russian). Available at: http://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/ strategicheskoe-partnerstvo-ssha-iindii-vyzovy-dlya-rossii (Accessed 30.04.2017).
2. Rybachenkov V.I. Nerasprostranenie yadernogo oruzhiya i zapret na yadernye ispytaniya. Rezhim inspektsiy MАGАTE [Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Test Ban. IAEA Inspections Mode]. Lecture at MIPHT, 25.03.2003. Available at: http://www.armscontrol.ru/course/ lectures03a/vir30325a.htm (In Russian). (Accessed 30.04.2017).
3. Tsygankov P.A. Negosudarstvennye uchastniki mirovoi politiki [Nongovernmental actors of the world politics]. Obozrevatel’ – Observer, 2013, vol. 9, pp. 5-13. (In Russian). Available at: http://www.observer.materik.ru/observer/N9_2013/005_017.pdf (Accessed 30.04.2017).
4. Shilin A.A. Yadernye programmy Indii i Pakistana [Nuclear Programs of India and Pakistan]. Lecture at MIPHT, 23.03.2006. Available at: http://www. armscontrol.ru/course/lectures06a/ aas060323.pdf (Accessed 30.04.2017). (In Russian)
5. Bhadra M. Fighting Nuclear Energy, Fighting for India’s Democracy. Science as Culture, 2013, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 238- 246. Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09505431.201 3.786986?src=recsys&journalCode=csa c20 (Accessed 30.04.2017).
6. Gaur V., Gupta E. The determinants of electricity theft: An empirical analysis of Indian states. Energy Policy, 2016, vol. 93, pp. 127-136. DOI: 10.1016/j. enpol.2016.02.048. Available at: http:// www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421516300878 (Accessed 30.04.2017).
7. Gupta K., Ripberger J.T. Nuclear Facility Siting and the Advocacy Coalition Framework: Institutions, Opportunity Structures, and the Formation of Revisionist Coalitions. 15.07.2015. DOI: 10.13140/ RG.2.1.4756.8485
8. Gupta K., Ripberger J., Collins S. The strategic use of policy narratives: Jaitapur and the politics of siting a nuclear power plant in India. The Science of Stories: Applications of the Narrative Policy Framework in Public Policy Analysis. Ed. by M.D. Jones, E.A. Shanahan, M.K. McBeth. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. 2014. Pp. 89-106.
9. Jha A. The Fukushima Effect on India’s Science, Technology (Nuclear Energy), and Environmental Governance. The Fukushima Effect: A New Geopolitical Terrain, 2015. Pp. 101-120.
10. Mathai M. V. Nuclear power, economic development discourse and the environment: The case of India. Routledge, 2013. Vol. 2. 230 p.
11. Mishra S. Public acceptance of nuclear power in India. National Defence and Aerospace Power. Issue brief, no. 57, 2011, pp. 1-4.
12. OECD/IEA. India Energy Outlook 2015. World Energy Outlook Special Report, 2015. 191 p. Available at: https://www. iea.org/publications/freepublications/ publication/india-energy-outlook-2015. html (Accessed 30.04.2017).
13. Ramana M. V. Nuclear power and the public. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 2011, vol. 67, no. 4, pp. 43-51. DOI: 10.1177/0096340211413358. Available at: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/ pdf/10.1177/0096340211413358 (Accessed 30.04.2017).
Review
For citations:
Boyko A.A. THE NUCLEAR ENERGY FACTOR IN INDIAN POLITICS. MGIMO Review of International Relations. 2017;(2(53)):147-159. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2017-2-53-147-159
Views:
901
Email this article 