The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : The nuclear issue

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Friday, Sep 07, 2007
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The nuclear issue

By restricting the composition of the panel constituted to look into certain aspects of the India-U.S. civil nuclear deal to members of the UPA and the Left parties, the UPA has totally disregarded the views of the main opposition on the critical issue affecting the entire nation. If the government feels that the deal is the UPA’s internal affair, it is mistaken. On any matter affecting sovereignty, it is only proper to listen to the views of the entire opposition. Respect for the opposition is not something to be scorned at. Condescending to have a futile discussion in Parliament will not fool many. The demand for a JPC, in the current context, is fully justified.

C.N.N. Nair,

Mumbai

* * *

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi’s contention that the NDA should consider supporting the UPA from outside or join the UPA if it wants to be part of the committee is unfortunate. The government is ready to give in to the pressure exerted by an ally, but is not ready to even consider the formation of a JPC in deference to the opposition’s wishes. It is clear it has no interest in creating a forum where parties across the board can discuss the important issue.

N. Sivaraman,

Kancheepuram If the constitution of a JPC is against parliamentary rules and not in conformity with the Constitution, it is time a rule was made making a discussion on international agreements in Parliament mandatory. The rule will help the Congress in future. As for the UPA committee, it is unlikely to convince the Left parties to go ahead with the deal. When the Prime Minister has not succeeded in convincing them, how can we expect the committee to do so?

K. Sabapathy,

Chennai

* * *

A lot has been said and written on the nuclear deal. It is now up to the politicians to decide its fate. As a student, I feel the deal must be operationalised. The argument that it will affect our right to test in future does not hold water. Why should a peace-loving country like India test a nuclear weapon? We must look at the long-term prospects of the deal, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has rightly pointed out.

R. Upendra,

Chennai

* * *

Dr. Singh is right in saying that we cannot afford to miss the bus or lag behind global developments. The Left parties should not oppose the deal just because it involves the U.S. They should approach the issue with an open mind.

C.A.C. Murugappan,

Kothamangalam

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