Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

India-U.S. deal

I congratulate The Hindu for carrying the well-thought-out and logically argued editorial "Hurdles in the last mile" (July 20) on the India-U.S. civilian nuclear deal. The esteemed daily has done a great service to the nation. Otherwise, the Manmohan Singh Government would have presented a fait accompli to the nation after signing a humiliating treaty throwing open our nuclear establishments for inspection and control by the U.S. and the IAEA. Even the July 18, 2005, joint statement was not a document on equal terms.

While the Prime Minister agreed to certain conditions of far-reaching consequences to the nation, the U.S. President only suggested that he would recommend to Congress withdrawal of some sanctions imposed on India. Alas, the Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world did not think it fit or necessary to consult his Parliament before such an important deal was signed.

P. Viswambharan,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

The U.S.' intentions are clear. It looks like Washington took the Indian Parliament for granted believing that anything in the name of a deal will pass. Our scientists vehemently opposed the unilateral agreement.

But the Government deluded itself and the people into believing that the nation's interests had been taken care of. It is evident that the Government has let down the country and its nuclear security.

M.A. Chandrashekar,
Mysore

* * *

The editorial is a timely warning. It has clearly spelt out the dangers embedded in the India-U.S. civilian nuclear deal, and the need to avert them. India should get out of the deal as the U.S. has already added dangerous provisions to it unilaterally.

It appears that through the deal, the U.S. seeks to bring its CTBT goals in through the back door.

B. Vivekanandan,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

It seemed as though the U.S. was making major concessions to India when the deal took shape. However, with the U.S. seeking to amend certain clauses, India's stability and safety are threatened.

We speak volumes about not ceding any ground while treaties/agreements are signed. But when it comes to establishing our stand firmly, we fail miserably. The Prime Minister should act before we are left with no positives from the deal.

Jeyshree Jayaraman,
Coimbatore

* * *

Carrying out negotiations in the early stages with the Bush Government was one thing, getting one's demands accepted by the American Senate is quite another. If India accepts the deal in the present form, our national security and independent foreign policy will be affected. On the other hand, if the Government pulls out of the deal, it will be blamed for not heeding the opposition and sane voices earlier, thereby dragging the country into strained relations with the U.S. for no apparent gain.

Sahajal Dhooria,
Jaipur

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