The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Bush’s message

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Saturday, Sep 13, 2008
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Bush’s message

President George Bush’s declaration in his September 10 message to Congress that all American commitments to India on fuel supply in the 123 agreement on nuclear cooperation with India are political and not legally binding is a blow to our nation and its image. It is time to realise that the U.S. can never be a reliable partner. Will Prime Minister Manmohan Singh see at least now that the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal is not in the interest of the nation?

A.G. Rajmohan,

Anantapur

* * *

Mr. Bush’s message to the U.S. Congress comes close on the heels of making public the State Department letter to the House Foreign Relations Committee, which seriously contradicted the Indian perception of the 123 agreement. I am reminded of the story of four blind men describing an elephant. One fails to understand why the 123 agreement, a carefully-worded document prepared after a series of consultations and negotiations for over 18 months, is being interpreted in a diametrically opposite manner by the leaders of the two nations.

Syed Sultan Mohiddin,

Kadapa

* * *

The Bush administration is apparently confident that India under Dr. Singh will sign the nuclear deal even if it is obvious that the U.S. has resorted to doublespeak. Once India commits itself to the deal, it would be risking its entire economy if, for some reason, it wants to conduct a nuclear test. It would make better economic sense for India to develop alternative sources of energy.

P. Vijayaraghavan,

Chennai

* * *

The Indo-U.S. nuclear deal is taking fascinating twists and turns like a Bollywood movie. We are being treated to revelations in spurts, keeping the Congress-led UPA government and the Opposition engaged. We also have an obliging Mr. Bush playing his part pretty well. Are our leaders even aware of the more pressing issues such as rising prices, floods and the agrarian distress? Of course, the deal merits attention and importance but the country is also under tremendous pressure of inflation.

Nirmala Narayanan,

Bangalore

* * *

Mr. Bush’s latest statement is a bolt from the blue. Right from the beginning, we have believed the Prime Minister’s assurance that the signing of the nuclear deal will lead to uninterrupted fuel supply for our reactors. We know only too well that political commitments are meant to be thrown into the dustbin. We expect the UPA government to come clean on the subject and give us the true picture.

B.R. Gupta,

Tiruchengode

* * *

Mr. Bush’s stand is akin to the warning in small print that accompanies grand product advertisements. Something like saying ‘the picture in the advertisement does not reflect the original product.’

Nisha Gopalan,

Chennai

* * *

The NSG waiver ending India’s nuclear isolation is one of the biggest achievements of the UPA government. It is sad that the Opposition parties do not feel the same way. The Prime Minister should be congratulated on the way he handled the situation and survived the opposition to the deal at home. The deal will help India progress.

Tennyson Thomas,

Alwaye

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