We will go to IAEA soon, says Prime Minister

{image-manmohan singh_07072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Tokyo, Jul 7: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, July 7 announced that India will approach the IAEA for a safeguards agreement for the controversial Indo-US nuclear deal where the process will move very fast. The Prime Minister made statement to media on board the aircraft carrying him to Sapporo in Japan for the G-8 Summit in Japan.

He said assurances have been given that once India goes to the IAEA, the process will move very fast. A relaxed and confident Singh made it clear that Government was not afraid of facing Parliament if the Left parties withdraw support. Having a dig at Leader of Opposition L K Advani, Singh said the BJP leader need not give any advice on the issue.

Prime Minister, who will be meeting US President Bush on the sidelines of the summit on July nine, said he would also be holding parleys with other world leaders and seek their support for the nuclear deal at the IAEA and the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG).

Singh still sounded conciliatory about the Left parties, who have threatened to withdraw support to his government the moment it takes the next step on the deal, that they were "patriots" and would like to find a way out which would address their concerns and also see the deal through.

He asserted that the deal was in national interest and the government would not compromise India''s foreign policy or its strategic programme. "I have been telling him(George W Bush) and I have always told him that I am committed to the civil nuclear cooperation agreement. That it has been my effort and it will always be my effort to push the agreement and that our government stands committed," Singh said.

OneIndia News