Clarify Rice's statement, BJP to PM

New Delhi, Feb 15 (UNI) The BJP today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to clarify to country on the statement of United States Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice that her country would support any Indian agreement with Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) only if it was consistent with the Hyde Act.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said Ms Rice's assertions had only vindicated the the BJP's apprehension that the Hyde Act overrode the 123 agreement but it was Dr Singh who maintained that Hyde Act was merely a domestic law for the US as the 123 agreement did not mention the Hyde Act. The Hyde Act provides for banning future nuclear tests by India specifying punitive provisions if the treaty were to be violated by India. The US could seek return of reactors and nuclear fuel sold to India in the event of nuclear tests and ensure roll back of nuclear weapons capability of India.

The spokesman said the concern of US with India has always been strategic while India's concern was energy. With Ms Rice's statement the government's argument had fallen flat and has only exposed big hole in its argument. The PM's misleading should be treated as betrayal of the nation for arguing that Hyde Act is a legilation for the US and not on India,'' Mr Javadekar he said adding that the Government owed an 'explanation and apology' to the country.

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