Narayanan confirms meeting with Advani on nuke deal

On Board the PM's Special Air India Aircraft, Nov 11 (UNI) National Security Adviser Mr K Narayanan today confirmed that he had tried to dispel the apprehensions of top BJP leaders with regard to the Indo-US nuclear deal during his meetings with them recently.

Talking to reporters accompanying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his two-day visit to Russia, he said he had a meeting with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh and separately called on BJP President Rajnath Singh.

He said the meeting was prompted by reports in the media that the BJP was not clear on certain facts about the deal and the statement of former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra expressing his reservations about the 123 agreement.

''We explained to the BJP leadership why the 123 agreement will in no way impede our strategic preparedness...in fact, the agreement would enhance our preparedness. We have nothing to hide,'' he added.

UNI