Indian gov't wants to dispel Left's "concerns" on nuke deal
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, July 1, IRNA
India-US N-Deal-Left parties
Upbeat over the approval of the draft bill on implementation of civil nuclear deal in key US Congress committees, the India government has said it would seek to dispel "concerns" of Left parties with regard to the draft legislation and attacked the BJP for raising objections.
"It is important to note that this bipartisan endorsement of the mutual wish of India and the US for civil nuclear cooperation was expressed in (their) July 18 (2005) Joint Statement," PTI report said here quoting Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma.
He, however, struck a note of caution, saying "these are initial steps and we are still waiting to see what form the legislation takes."
Allaying apprehensions in some quarters that through the deal New Delhi could make compromises, Sharma said "there is no question of India compromising in any manner its pursuit of an independent foreign policy and in the interest of safeguarding its national interest."
He said the government will engage with the US and other countries in civilian nuclear matters on the basis of the mutual understanding expressed in the July 18 Joint Statement and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on March 11 and the Separation Plan tabled in parliament.
With regard to the objections raised by allies CPM and CPI, the minister said: "We have been informed of the concerns of the Left and will try to dispel their doubts."
He said the issue could be discussed in the Left-UPA Coordination Committee.
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