Intl conf on Indo-US nuclear deal from tomorrow

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) An International conference on the Indo-US Nuclear Deal will be held here from tomorrow to seek to educate the public as well as decision makers about the repercussions of the deal and the 123 agreement.

The conference, being jointly organised by the CNDP and the Heinrich Boll foundation, is an attempt to critically assess and disclose the risks and downsides of the deal, with particular reference to its implications on India-Pakistan relations and future of co-existence in the South Asian region, Mr Achin Vanaik of the CNDP told reporters here.

In a press conference, which was also addressed by Mr Andrew Lichterman of the US, Dr Oliver Meieir of Germany and Pakistani social activist Karamat Ali, it was alleged that the deal will affect existing international nuclear institutions and agreements and signified a profound setback, regionally and internationally, to the causes of nuclear disarmament.

''The approval of the deal obstructs the preferable shift from nuclear energy generation to other safer, cleaner and cheaper and renewable sources of energy,''Mr Vanaik said.

Speakers at the press meet felt that the deal would fuel an arms race in the world, particularly in South Asia.

They also felt that the agreement means a tectonic shift in India's foreign policy as India will no longer be a non aligned power but it has thrown its lot with the US in order to emerge as a global power.

The conference will include presentations by a panel of carefully selected authoritative Indian and International experts on the risks and downsides of the deal.

Towards the close of the conference, HBF and CNDP will put forward a joint resolution for wider dissemination constituting their collective position on the central issues concerning the nuclear deal highlighted in course of the seminar.

UNI