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Centre keen on discussion first in Parliament

NEW DELHI: The Centre is apparently keen on having a discussion on the India-U.S. nuclear deal in Parliament first and then convening yet another meeting of the United Progressive Alliance-Left coordination committee.

CPI national secretary D. Raja told The Hindu here on Friday that he had received a communication about the postponement of the sixth meeting of the committee, scheduled for November 16, from External Affairs Minister and panel convener Pranab Mukherjee. Only on Wednesday did Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat say that neither the Left parties demanded postponement nor the government put forward any such proposal.

The committee, at its five meetings spread over two-and-a-half months, has discussed all the major issues raised by the Left such as implications of the Hyde Act, and the country’s foreign policy and its strategic programme. Sources said the only job left to be done was to finalise its findings.

The Left parties have reiterated that the committee findings should be considered before the government takes any step to operationalise the deal.

Indications are the government will have very little time to go for India-specific safeguards negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency and then enter into negotiations with the Nuclear Suppliers Group

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