PM, Cabinet to discuss fate of Indo-US nuclear deal

New Delhi, Jun 26: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has called for a cabinet meeting to discuss the fate and future of the US-India civil nuclear deal. The decision was taken after the left parties agreed to give some more to United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to clarify its final stand on the deal.

On Wednesday's (June 25) Left-UPA Coordination Committee meet both sides presented their respective stand on the issue, and it was agreed that a conclusive decision would be taken in the next meeting. All the members of the Coordination Committee were present at the meet except Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who is in Lords for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the 1983 Cricket World Cup victory along with the members of the then team.

Hectic political happenings were witnessed throughout the day, beginning with a meeting between Pranab and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat at the former"s residence. A hurriedly called meeting of the UPA constituents was also called at Pranab"s office in the evening, and last in the series was the meeting at UPA-Left Coordination Committee.

As a part of implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal, India had concluded negotiations with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on what the Safeguards Agreement would contain in February, but it could not be signed because of stiff opposition from the Left.

The Left has been opposing the deal on the grounds that the conditions laid down by the Hyde Act, a domestic US legislation, would impinge on India pursuing an independent foreign policy and make it "subservient" to US strategic interests worldwide.

The Left has objected to the 123 Agreement between the India and the US on civilian nuclear cooperation on the grounds that the Hyde Act binds it.

ANI