The Hindu : National : Sinha criticises nuclear deal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006

National

National

Sinha criticises nuclear deal

Special Correspondent

Says U.S. is influencing India-Iran ties

NEW DELHI: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Rajya Sabha member Yashwant Sinha on Monday said India's nuclear deal with the U.S. was of "dubious quality." The UPA Government appeared determined to mortgage the autonomy of foreign policy to the United States.

Mr. Sinha said in a statement that India's relations with Iran was a matter between the two countries.

The U.S. could not be allowed to determine the "quality and depth of that relationship just as India is not allowed to determine the bilateral relationships that the U.S. maintains with other nations, including Pakistan." He said India's vote against Iran in the International Atomic Energy Agency in September last had made India a "client state of the U.S."

Mr. Sinha said he was surprised when Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, during his recent visit to Washington, was reportedly called upon to explain India receiving two Iranian naval vessels in Kochi port to Congressman Tom Lantos, a ranking member of the International Relations Committee of the House. He said Mr. Lantos had castigated India earlier for its friendly attitude towards Iran.

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