Subordinate Ally

India's nuclear deal with the United States has raised a political storm in New Delhi. The Left parties have argued that the deal involves a quid pro quo, and seriously undermines India's ability to pursue an independent foreign policy.//How does the deal fit in with a larger alliance between the two countries that covers economic, strategic, and military cooperation? Will the deal satisfactorily address India's energy needs, or will it lead to another Enron-type disaster? How does the Hyde Act passed by the US Congress run counter to the assurances given by the Prime Minister to the Indian Parliament in August 2006? What is the Defence Framework Agreement, and how has it led to steps like the Logistics Support Agreement and the Maritime Cooperation Pact? Why have joint military exercises with the United States gone up sharply since 2005, and why is the Left opposed to these? Should India partner the United States in its global 'democracy' enterprise? Does the National Common Minimum Programme of the UPA government say anything about a strategic tie-up with the US? How did the BJP-led NDA government seek to reverse the course of India's foreign policy, and how has the Congress-led UPA government taken the process further?