PM says safeguards agreement not to impinge on India's strategic programme

New Delhi, July 15 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today dismissed allegations by the Left and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreement would compromise India's strategic programme. Interacting with a group of editors at his residence here, Dr. Singh highlighted the opportunities for international cooperation in civil nuclear energy to meet the challenge of energy security and high technology development.

"The agreement will in no way impinge on our strategic programme, which is entirely outside the purview of the IAEA safeguards agreement," he said.

Referring to opportunities for international cooperation in civil nuclear energy, in addressing the challenge of energy security and high technology development, Dr. Singh said the IAEA safeguards agreement would enable India to cooperate in civil nuclear energy development with all the 45 member countries of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, including USA, Russia, France and China.

He said that concluding the agreements would end the era of nuclear apartheid against India. tating that India would never allow any extraneous interference in the conduct of our independent foreign policy, Dr. Singh said that India would continue to seek good relations with all our Asian neighbours.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the people understood the significance of the initiatives being taken by the UPA Government and endorse them.

ANI