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Sunday, Sep 02, 2007
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Sonia: deal in India’s interest

Gargi Parsai

Parties kept informed of talks

NEW DELHI: Even as the Left and the Opposition parties continue to express their reservations about the India-U.S. nuclear deal, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his “able negotiators” on hammering out a treaty that satisfies all conditions laid out before Parliament.

Ahead of a debate in Parliament and barely a couple of days after a political committee was formed to address the Left concerns, Ms. Gandhi said the deal was in the long-term interest of India.

Letter to party workers

In a letter to Congress workers in the latest issue of the party journal Congress Sandesh, Ms. Gandhi said: “….India and the United States have signed the historic 123 Agreement that lifts decades-old embargo on nuclear trade with India. This will allow India to expand its energy sector to meet the growing demands of our economic growth and put an end to the power shortages that we are all familiar with.”

Ms. Gandhi emphasised that throughout the negotiations with the U.S. Parliament, the United Progressive Alliance, the Left parties and the Opposition parties had been kept informed. “We have negotiated with America keeping our national interest in the forefront and India’s nuclear defence programme has in no way been undermined.”

Noting that the agreement would help India expand its power generation for agriculture and the growing industrial sector, Ms. Gandhi said the accord was a recognition of the achievement of Indian scientists who had worked diligently to keep the indigenous programme alive.

Adjournments of House

In an oblique reference to the frequent adjournments of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, Ms. Gandhi expressed the hope that the Opposition parties would use Parliament to air their differences and “we will see less unnecessary adjournments that waste precious time and taxpayers’ money.”

Pranab hopeful

Special Correspondent reports from Kolkata:

In Kolkata, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Saturday that he hoped that the mechanism evolved to end the standoff over the nuclear deal would succeed.

He, however, declined to say anything further as Parliament was in session.

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