Tag Archives: nuclear

Fusing their way to diplomacy ft. India and Sri Lanka

Do you like my joke in the title? Get it? Like fusion. Like nuclear fusion.

Sri Lanka and India have taken steps to diplomacy with an agreement for installation of russia nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, in the south of India. Sri Lanka is a concern for India’s nuclear plans as well, because it is a mere boat ride across the Palk Straight off the south west tip of india.

Nuclear power is a very controversial topic in today’s world. I’m sure cold war ideology being wary of nuclear power has died down, but I suppose the dangers are still apparent. Although the risk is extremely low for a nuclear fall out, there is a possibility, so I understand people’s concern. Last year in physics I learned a lot about nuclear energy and the exact nuclear reactions that were involved with creating power. The energy efficiency is incredibly high, so it makes sense to combat the world’s obscene energy usage and energy wastage with nuclear power. There is also the concern that fossil fuels are releasing toxic chemicals to the ozone layer, endangering our societies skin. But then again, nuclear power results in radioactive decay which can take thousands of years to be safe to touch again.

There are procedures for disposing of this, and while I already mentioned the risk is very low, Greenpeace France is very concerned with the building of nuclear powerplants and actually launched a campaign against it. Last year, I wrote a letter to Greenpeace France telling them about what I had learned in my physics class. Surprisingly, I got a response. They proceeded to quote my letter line by line explaining why each one was “a lie”. In America, it is more acceptable to use nuclear energy, even though every citizen may not agree.

Globally, the thoughts on nuclear energy vary. I have never heard a specific stance by either India or Sri Lanka. I hope that both countries aren’t just using the building of this power plant as a reason to rejoice. India is very densely populated, and it surprises me that they are so quick to build a nuclear reactor. I just hope that there is no haste because of ulterior motives (diplomacy with Sri Lanka).

I am sure there is tension over who gets monopoly of the waters between the two countries. Most parts of India that border the waters are “warm” year round, so fishing is a big business, which I’m sure is the same for the island country of Sri Lanka. The article I read cited a “fisherman problem”. I really hope that these are the correct steps to diplomacy between two neighboring countries, and not just a hasty way to achieve a convenient diplomacy.