India's interests not compromised in N-deal: Cong

New Delhi, Mar 3: The Congress today (Mar 03, 2006) hailed the nuclear deal between India and US as a historic and landmark agreement, and congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for displaying the requisite 'courage, determination and vision' in getting the agreement signed.

Noting that Indo-US relations were multi-faceted, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters that the agreement was a part of a larger process of energy cooperation in the larger context of power shortage in the country.

"The Congress is proud that it was India's initiative and proposal that was accepted by the US. It was a proposal of India,for India, and by India", he said.

Referring to the protests lodged by the Opposition to the nuclear aggreement, he asserted that had there been anything against the interests of the country, the Congress would have been the first to speak up.

"India's interests had not been compromised in any part of the agreement", he said, adding that it was "a unique match where both sides have scored a hat trick and both won the match.'' Pointing out that it was India who would decide the number of fast breeder reactors and the future segregation of civilian and military reactors, Mr Singhvi said that India reserved the right to take 'corrective steps' in the implementation of the deal, which would pave the way for providing energy to agriculture and industry generating agriculture and industrial activities and development.

This will yield fruits to the 'aam admi', he said.

UNI