PM confident of Left turbulence to blow over

New Delhi, Aug 23: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed hope that the political 'turbulence' created by the Left's vehement opposition to the nuclear deal will blow over.

While the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the government will overcome the present crisis, the government yesterday made it clear that the forward movement to operationalise the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal would continue in spite of the Left's vehement 'stop the deal' cry that has led to the questioning of the UPA government's stability.

The joint statement with Japan that India signed yesterday envisaging a bilateral and strategic roadmap read: "They (Indian and Japanese Prime Minister) looked forward to constructive deliberations at the relevant international fora with respect to the international civil nuclear cooperation framework under appropriate IAEA safeguards with India."

India is seeking Japan's support for the crucial Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) meeting where Tokyo is one of the members.

To operationalise the deal India has to first reach a safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the talks for which is slated to be held in the first week of September in Vienna, that will be followed by amendment in the charter of the NSG and the US Congress passing the text of the 123-agreement.

Meanwhile, the crucial meeting of the CPI (M) central committee yesterday concluded with the Left leaders discussing the Government's future decision regarding the deal.

Left leaders are now keenly waiting for the September meeting of the IAEA.

The Left parties have asked the Manmohan Singh Government to stop all future negotiations for operationalising the deal till the 'implications' of the US Hyde Act on the 123-agreement is reviewed.

The Parliament will discuss the nuclear deal on August 29.

ANI

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