Opposition attacks Govt. on Indo-US end-user defence pact

New Delhi, July 21 (ANI): The recently signed Indo-US end-user monitoring defence agreement attracted opposition's flak in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with nearly the entire opposition charging the government with compromise was the country's security and sovereignty.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, former External Affairs Minister and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said the agreement was a matter of grave concern, as it would give the US the right to physically inspect equipment sold by it to India.

Opposition parties have demanded an immediate statement on the pact.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced that the government would make a statement before the House rises for the day.

The agreement was concluded during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Delhi.

Under the pact, India and the US agreed to enter into an understanding on end-use monitoring agreement that will pave the way for greater defence cooperation as New Delhi conveyed its decision to locate two nuclear parks for American companies.

On Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister S M Krishna, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had announced that the two countries have agreed to enter into a strategic dialogue based on five pillars of cooperation.

"We share a common trait by rolling up our sleeves and get things done. We have shown progress also by finalising important agreements today including the end user agreement that will pave the way for greater defence cooperation between our countries and technology safeguards agreement," Clinton told a joint press conference with Krishna.

In his remarks, Krishna said that the two countries have agreed on the end use monitoring arrangements that will henceforth be referred to in the letters of acceptance in procurement of defence equipment and technologies. (ANI)