US hegemony in nuclear matters a portentous trend: Fernandes

New Delhi, Mar 3 (UNI) Describing the US objections to the Iran nuclear programme as an instance of its asserting its hegemony in nuclear matters, Janata Dal (U) Leader George Fernandes today warned that the ''hegemonious designs of the US'' could, in the long run, find India at the receiving end of the US similar to the treatment meted out to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

''I believe that if the nuclear power is safe in the hands of the US, then an opposition by the US to other countries like Iran having nuclear power is uncalled for,''Mr Fernandes said while speaking at a National seminar on "the issue of Iran's nuclear programme and India's strategy".

''The US position that the nuclear power is safe only in its hands, and not in that of any other country, has serious future implications for India as well in the near future,'' Mr Fernandes said.

Giving as an example of the US hegemonious designs the treatment meted out to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr Fernandes lamented that the US actions in these countries had gone unopposed from other nations, even economic superpowers like China and Japan.

''The recent treatment meted out by the United States to the people of Iraq - several children in that country have died of hunger, the oil blockade has steeped the people of the country deep into the morass of poverty - has not been opposed by any country, including those like Russia, China and Japan,'' Mr Fernandes said and warned that what had today happened in Iraq and Afghanistan could tomorrow happen to India.

On the nuclear issue, he, however, said a solution could be reached soon in the matter.

Speaking at the seminar, chairman of the JD (U) Minority cell, Irfan Ullah criticised India foreign policy under the present regime, which he said placed undue importance on relations with the United States at cost of those with age-old friends like Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.

''Countries like Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan have, over the years supported India's position on several issues at several fora.

In this context, a foreign policy that places too much emphasis on relations with the US at the cost of those with Iran and Afghanistan is likely to prove detrimental in the long run,'' Mr Irfan Ullah said.

Also present at the seminar was JD(U) leader Jaya Jaitley.

UNI AR SC DB1952