The least an over-romantic India can do ... is heed to the (former U.S. President Ronald) Reagan dictum: trust but verify.

The global nuclear reactor and fuel business, controlled by a tiny cartel of state-guided firms, is the most politically regulated commerce in the world, with no sanctity of contract.

The essence of this strategic partnership is to provide a countervailing influence to China ... to act as a restraint on the exercise of Chinese power.

India's security will be hugely undermined, unless the trend continued.

This gives the Pakistani economy fresh air to breathe; it has room to recover.

While it is clear India wants to be America's friend and strategic partner, it is less obvious whether the U.S. wants to be India's friend or merely capitalize on this country's growing geopolitical importance and abundant market opportunities.

China is pleased the deal will place restraints on India's nuclear program but concerned at the showcasing of the new strategic partnership with Washington.

China's real advantage over India is leadership and vision.

Unless the United States rolls back its demands, it is almost certain that no formal nuclear agreement will be ready for signature when President George W Bush arrives in New Delhi on March 1.