UPA-Left meet discusses Indo-US nuclear deal

NEW DELHI: Taking strong objection to the Indo-US civilian nuclear pact, the Left parties on Saturday told the UPA top brass including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Indian Parliament should set parameters on the basis of which such cooperation agreements can be reached.  

 

After the meeting, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said: “We conveyed to the UPA our serious apprehension over the way the agreement is negotiated with the US. The US has brought in new issues, reciprocity and sequencing has gone beyond what was first stated by the Prime Minister in Parliament.”

 

The meeting also discussed internal security in the wake of Mumbai serial blasts and five pieces of legislation expected to be taken up during the monsoon session of Parliament. Home minister Shivraj Patil, who was asked to be present in the meeting, also attended by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, briefed the Left on the Mumbai blasts.  Karat said the meeting did not discuss the Left note on alternative resource mobilisation for want of time.