Rajnath seeks clarification on Nuke deal

Udaipur, Feb 16 (UNI) BJP national president Rajnath Singh has sought clarification from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh following the statement of US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice on Indo-US nuclear deal.

Talking to UNI here today, Mr Singh said recently the US Secretary of State admitted that if India signed the Nuke deal with the US, the strategic sovereignty of Indian nuclear policy would be affected, but earlier the Prime Minister had refused such apprehension of the BJP in the 123 agreement.

''I want to ask Dr Singh whose statement is false? Either the US officials have made the false statement or he misguided the people of the country on the deal, ''Mr Singh said, adding that Washington must amend the Hyde Act to accommodate India with a credible minimum nuclear deterrent.

He also pointed out that the amendment of the Hyde Act should be such that the capability of developing credible nuclear deterrent would not be affected.

''The United States understand the importance of the agreement to our relationship and the benefits it will bring to both nations.

We are confident that with continued hard work, flexibility and good spirit, we will reach a final agreement,'' he opined.

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