RECENTLY, India witnessed combative debates on Indian television news channels surrounding the “radiological incident” at Taishan nuclear power plant in Guangdong province on the southern China coast. From nearly declaring China a rogue state, these debates revolved around rhetorically asking how the international community could have been so indifferent as to have allowed China to build an astounding number of nuclear power plants. The debates sought “expert” opinions on whether an international coalition such as NATO could perhaps reign in an out-of-control China and whether its unmitigated ambition to build nuclear power plants could be stymied. Thus, instead of expanding the public discourse to the safety of Taishan’s nuclear reactors in general and the potential consequences of a similar project proposed to be set up in Jaitapur, Maharashtra, the Indian media has remained singularly obsessed with China’s failings.
The Leaflet 28th June 2021 read more »