PM's suo-motu statement on Nuclear deal on Aug 13

New Delhi, Aug 8: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will make a suo-motu statement in Parliament on August 13 on the Indo-US nuclear deal to dispel the apprehensions of the Left allies and Opposition NDA on the issue. Since External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will be abroad, it would not be possible to hold a detailed discussion on the 123 nuclear agreement in the beginning of the Monsoon Session. So the Prime Minister will make a suo-motu statement on August 13, to satisfy all quarters, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said here today.

The Prime Minister's statement is crucial as both the Left Parties and the BJP have accused the government of not fulfilling its promise made in Parliament on the issue of Indo-US nuclear deal.

Apprehending a scathing attack on the issue during the Monsoon Session beginning from August 10, the government has decided to make a suo-motu statement on August 13 itself so as to arrive at a consensus on the issue.

Later, once Mr Mukerjee returns from abroad on August 17 and if the Speaker and the Business Advisory Committee decides, a detailed discussion could be held under rule 184 as demanded by the BJP.

Left Parties have also virtually rejected the 123 agreement stating that the pact is unacceptable to them as it locks India into the US strategic alliance. They have asked the UPA government not to proceed further with operationalising it.

''There has to be a review of the strategic aspects of Indo-US relations in Parliament. We will press for a Constitutional amendment for bringing international treaties and certain bilateral agreements for approval in Parliament,'' said the top leaders of the four Left parties after a nearly two-hour long joint meeting.

The Left parties were unable to accept the agreement in the larger ''perspective of India's increasing strategic co-operation with the US, its becoming partner in the US nefarious design to promote unequal global nuclear order, the joint naval exercises and the US pressure on India to buy a whole range of weaponry including 126 fighter planes. '' ]

UNI