BJP members oppose Indo-US civil nuclear pact

New Delhi, Dec 19 (UNI) BJP member Arun Shourie today urged the government to reject the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation deal and rather explore clean energy alternatives like hydropower for electricity generation.

He said if India was to go ahead with the deal on the basis of the Hyde Act, then all assurances given by the Prime Minister will be violated.

''The Hyde Act puts shackles on India's nuclear capabilities and makes a mockery of all assurances given by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament,'' Mr Shourie said during a short duration discussion in the Rajya Sabha.

''Washington will get to virtually dictate to India as to what foreign policy it has to pursue because they are giving us nuclear fuel.'' He said the government has been led step by step into a quicksand. India will be forefeiting its right to conduct nuclear tests in the future, said Mr Shourie.

The United States has not addressed India's concerns but put new shackles on the country, he added.

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