Don't overlook vital sectors for nuclear expansion:Sushma

Chandigarh, Mar 4 (UNI) Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj today expressed the hope that health, education and social security sectors would not be compromised with in view of the nuclear expansion programme.

Welcoming the signing of the civil nuclear deal with the US, Ms Swaraj said these important sectors should not be overlooked for want of funds due to the expenditure to be incurred on the purchase of nuclear technology and fuel.

Interacting with the media at 'Meet the Press Programme' at Chandigarh Press Club here, she justified India's nuclear ambitions, and said India was not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

When asked that Pakistan had also not signed the NPT and wanted a similar nuclear deal with the US, Ms Swaraj said it was up to the US and Pakistan to decide on the issue.

On the issue of India's vote against Iran in the IAEA, the BJP leader said that the Iran was a signatory to the NPT and, thus, was liable to be held accountable for nuclear inspections.

''We (India) acknowledge NPT but have not signed it,'' she said in response to a question on the relevance of NPT for all those nations who aspired to become a nuclear power.

The senior BJP leader, however, stated that the UPA government should address the concerns raised by some Indian scientists regarding the landmark deal.

''We (the BJP) welcome the Bush visit but at the same time the government should assure that India also has an equal opportunity in the nuclear deal at par with the US,'' she said.

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