N-accord in limbo as Left asks government to drop safeguards clause

20 August 2007

Mumbai: The Left allies of the ruling UPA government said they will start discussions on the Indo-US nuclear accord only after the government pledges not to hold talks with the global atomic energy regulator on safeguards.

The four Left parties - CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc - met in the capital in the evening to consider the ruling UPA coalition`s stand that the government was not in a position to put the deal on hold.

The Left parties with 60 MPs in the Lok Sabha have urged prime minister Manmohan Singh''s government not to pursue talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to clinch the deal.

Their objection centers on the Hyde Act, a US legislation that governs aspects of the nuclear alliance not mentioned in the bilateral agreement. Negotiations with the IAEA must be stopped before any compromise can be discussed, said A B Bardan of the CPI.

Supporters hail the deal as one that gives India access to US nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in three decades to meet soaring energy needs but critics say it impinges on India''s nuclear programme and independent foreign policy.

Talking to media persons CPI leader D Raja said that the Left appreciated the government''s move to form a committee for discussion but it would only be possible after the government declares in clear terms that it won''t proceed further on negotiations with the IAEA or the NSG.

Earlier in the day, the CPI(M) sticking to its stand had stated that the government should keep the Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement on hold till its objections are "properly evaluated".