Indo-US nuclear deal detrimental to India: BJP

Kanpur, July 1: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today asserted that the Indo-US nuclear agreement was totally ''unacceptable'' as it would seriously hamper the country's defence programmes, besides other developmental projects.

Senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi said although Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had claimed the question of ''unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing'' did not arise, the US Congress in its recent meetings stated if India went for nuclear explosion, the ''Presidential Waiver'' would be withdrawn.

''...this clearly shows their (USA) malafide intention on the agreement,'' he said talking to mediapersons here.

Mr Joshi said BJP would raise the issue in both houses of Parliament in the coming monsoon session and force the Centre to reconsider the ''killer agreement.'' ''Our nuclear scientists, who have dedicated themselves to make India a nuclear power, will not accept such an agreement.'' He further observed that India's nuclear policy should not be governed by any foreign power including the US.

''Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had assured US that India would not go for further explosion, but it would be governed by its own nuclear programmes -- keeping the option open for nuclear explosion for developmental purposes,'' Mr Joshi reminded.

UNI

Related Stories