For the first time since the Left allowed the government to go to IAEA for talks, CPI general secretary AB Bardhan on Saturday hinted that the government need not stall talks with the NSG.
At the Monday meeting, indications are that the Left will allow the government to meet NSG
NEW DELHI: With just over a day before the crucial UPA-Left on nuclear committee meeting on Monday to discuss the outcome of India-specific safeguards talks, indications are that the Left parties may allow New Delhi to start talks with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
For the first time since the Left allowed the government to go to IAEA for talks, CPI general secretary AB Bardhan on Saturday hinted that the government need not stall talks with the NSG. He told a private TV channel that he not reject the prospect of seeking NSG waiver.
Queried if the government seeks the Left permission to proceed to the NSG, Bardhan responded, “Let the government give a statement.”
Asked if the government does, would you accept it? the CPI chief said “If it says that it is not going to accept the Hyde Act, it is not going to accept the 123 agreement…….”
Bardhan said as long as the government does not operationalise the deal, the Left did not have a problem.
The final round of talks with the IAEA just ended a couple of days ago and indications are that the government has managed to get some assurances to satisfy the Left. The draft agreement may even be shown to the Left on Monday.
CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury said, “Our agenda is not to destabilise the government but to stop the nuke deal. It is for the government to decide its future course.”
Left sources say they will study the IAEA draft, then consult in-house experts and nuclear scientists before formulating their final views. We will then take a final call which may take at least two months….”said a senior left leader.
The Left believes that after NSG wavier, India can get nuclear fuel from countries like France, Russia and China and need not sign the 123 agreement, which they say is detrimental to Indian interests. The government holds the contrary view.
Bardhan said “We withdraw our support whether the government is reduced to a minority and continues or not. It is then up to parliament to see if the government itself decides to dissolve parliament and become a caretaker.”
A senior CPI(M) leader said “first the government has to brief us about the outcome of the negotiations at IAEA. As long as the 123 agreement is rooted in Hyde Act, there’s no question of allowing the government to ink the deal.” Party sources gave a 50:50 chance of allowing NSG talks saying that there was also a danger as Americans pratically control the NSG and they could sway the outcome.
k_benedict@dnaindia.net
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