BJP asks govt to take firm stand on nuclear deal

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) The BJP today charged the UPA government with failing to have an assertive foreign policy and wondered about its stand on a variety of challenges in the neighbourhood especially with China, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh due to an ''invisible'' policy.

It also asked the UPA regime to take a firm decision on the Indo-US nuclear deal soon.

Participating in a short duration discussion on the statement made by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Rajya Sabha on March 3, Leader of Opposition in the house Jaswant Singh also asked the government to end the suspense on the nuclear and take a firm decision. Pointing out that the issue of national importance has dragged for about two years, he said either the government should take a firm decision or call the bluff of the Left.

Expressing pain over the recent incidents in Tibet, he said that if the ''autonomous'' status of Tibet was the reason for India not voicing its concern, then why had it not followed the same policy in Nepal, which has fallen into vortex of chaos.

Despite the Dalai Lama expressing pain and anguish over the situation in Tibet, he said Delhi Police stopped peaceful Tibetan protestors and the government took three to four days to react to the situation in the neighbouring region. Pointing out the danger posed by Chinese policy in Tibet to Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, he said that China was constructing airport and road in Tibet near Arunachal border and was also constructing a dam over Brahmaputra river which would affect not only Arunachal Pradesh but the entire North Eastern region of the country.

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