Battle at home may not be as easy as 123

NEW DELHI: The BJP and the Left have been issuing regular warnings to the government to ensure that the 123 agreement does not violate the assurances the PM gave to Parliament on safeguarding India’s strategic programme and its nuclear independence.

Through a selective briefing to the media, government officials have sought to present a rosy picture of US flexibility on all Indian concerns, including issues like reprocessing rights, fuel supply guarantees and safeguarding India’s right to test. 

Neither Misra nor Left leaders were willing to comment, saying they will hold their counsel till they see the full text of the agreement. Interestingly, the full text was not shared even with the select media persons who were briefed by government officials.

The Prime Minister will kick off official consultations with a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on Wednesday, at which his National Security Advisor M K Narayanan will brief senior members of the government on his talks in Washington. He has already briefed Sonia Gandhi, it is learnt.

A government source said the PM will call in Left and BJP leaders, separately of course, after he has briefed his Cabinet colleagues.

The full text of the 123 agreement will be tabled in Parliament during the monsoon session, the source said, provided it has political approval.