The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a 30-year peaceful civil nuclear cooperation agreement.
- Reportedly, deal would take effect only if Saudi Arabia joined the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords under which several Arab states established ties with Israel.
- The agreement is based on a Section 123 Agreement under the US Atomic Energy Act.
About 123 Agreement
- It is a mandatory legal prerequisite before the US can transfer nuclear materials, reactors, equipment, technology, or fuel to another country for peaceful civilian purposes.
- India signed the 123 Agreement in 2008, enabling civilian nuclear cooperation. It is significant because,
- It allowed civil nuclear trade despite India not being a signatory to the Non Proliferation Treaty.
- NPT is an international treaty that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy to achieve global nuclear disarmament.
- It led to India-specific safeguards under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- It opened the door for international nuclear commerce with India.
- It allowed civil nuclear trade despite India not being a signatory to the Non Proliferation Treaty.
Impact of US-Saudi nuclear deal
- Regional Security: The agreement may shift the strategic balance in West Asia, increasing tensions among regional powers.
- Nuclear Proliferation: The deal could trigger a nuclear arms race in West Asia, particularly with Iran's nuclear ambitions.
