The okay by the United States Senate to the Indo-US nuclear deal is historic by any yardstick.

Till the ayes outnumbered the nays early morning Friday IST, there was always a touch of concern that the deal may fall prey to one of the many ‘killer amendments’ that were floated by the numerous critics of the nuclear deal agreed upon by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George Bush on July 18, 2005.

The Indo-US nuclear tango

Ultimately, given the resolve on the part of both the protagonists, the deal is nearer completion that seemed possible a week ago, when the Republicans lost control of US Congress in the mid-term polls.

To explain the significance of the favourable Senate vote, and the path still ahead before the legislation becomes law in the US and finds parliamentary approval in India, we bring you one of India's leading strategic analysts, Commodore C Uday Bhaskar.

A Member Secretary of the Task Force on Global Strategic Developments, he was earlier officiating Director of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. With numerous articles/papers/reviews to his credit, he has worked on nuclear proliferation, India-US relations and maritime issues. He is on the panel of experts for security and foreign policy issues of Indian radio and television networks, BBC, CNN and Al-Jazeera.

A guest lecturer at the National Defence College, New Delhi, and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Nilgiris, Commodore Bhaskar has lectured at various forums in France and the US. He has participated in numerous seminars abroad including the India-US Strategic Symposia held with the INSS/National Defense University.

Cmde Bhaskar passed out of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla in 1969 and was commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1971. A recipient of the Vishist Seva Medal in 1985, he is the founder editor of the naval journal Quarterdeck.

Friday, November 17, at 4.30 pm IST (6 am EST). Don't miss it!