US-Saudi civil nuclear deal: How will it work?

Jaked Sullivan, the White House National Security Adviser will be visiting Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the visit would be talks relating to a civil nuclear cooperation agreement. The United States expects that such an agreement will normalize Israel-Saudi relationship.

Here is everything you need to know.

Understanding the civil nuclear cooperation agreement

As per Section 123 of the United States Atomic Energy Act of 1954, the US may negotiate on agreements in order to indulge in an important civil nuclear cooperation with other countries. It mentions a total of 9 non-proliferation criteria that are to be met by those states. These criteria keep these states from making use of technology in order to develop nuclear weapons or transfer sensitive information to others.

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Why is Saudi Arabia eager for a US Nuclear Cooperation Agreement?

Saudi Arabia is the largest oil exporter of the world. There are two reasons for which Saudi Arabia may wish for a US Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.

The very first one is that under the Vision 2030 reform plan of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom aspires to create huge renewable energy. It also aims to decrease the emissions. Nuclear energy will help in reaching this aim is at least some ways.

The second reason could be that Riyadh may aspire to develop nuclear expertise in situations where someday it wishes to get nuclear weapons despites the safeguards mentioned in any agreement with the United States to prevent this. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has stated that in case Iran developed a nuclear arm, Saudi Arabia would actually follow suit. This position has brought about major concern among the weapons control advocates. Many U.S. lawmakers are also concerned over the chances of a US-Saudi civil nuclear deal. 

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