For the sake of uranium, India needs N-deal: Sibal

New Delhi, Jun 29 (UNI) Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal has rejected the Left's contention that the nuclear deal is about strategic alliance with the US and expressed confidence that time will resolve the difference between the UPA and the Left over the accord.

''Manifestly the deal is for uranium, to end nuclear apartheid, to breath life into our nuclear reactors which are working at half their rated capacity since we are denied uranium for not signing the Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty (NPT),'' Mr Sibal told IndiaNews TV channel.

He said it was wrong to see the deal through ''the strategic prism''.

''They (Left) believe that the civilian nuclear deal with the US would push India into a strategic alliance with that country. Well, it is their perspective. We beg to differ. In our considered view the deal is not about strategic alliance. It is all about our nuclear energy programme. Pure and simple, whether you like it or not,'' he said.

He pooh-poohed the Left criticism that inflation and the nuclear deal had pushed the ruling alliance to an electoral precipice.

''Inflation has nothing to do with the deal,'' he said.

On the emerging closeness between the Congress and the Samajwadi party, he said: ''Change is the essence of life.'' But he parried a question on who among the two had changed.

UNI YJ RP RAI1958