BJP wants pact scrapped

Denouncing the end use monitoring agreement with the US a sell-out, a subjugation of national interest and an infringement on national sovereignty, the BJP demanded that the agreement be scrapped.

The party saw the entire opposition backing its demands as it protested the “sell-out” on the EUM.

BJP deputy leader in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said clauses in the EUM were “restrictive” that inevitably led to questions on the country’s sovereignty. “India should not accept such restrictions,” she said. Swaraj said voices had been raised against EUM in 2008 as well, with the Left opposing it.

“The official establishment was also opposed to it and then navy chief Admiral Suresh Mehta had called it ‘intrusive’,” Swaraj pointed out. The deal would allow US to find out whether equipment bought from them was being used for strategic or civilian purposes. Even equipment bought from other countries would be subject to US inspection if it had any component manufactured in US, Swaraj said.