N-deal will help India become world's most powerful nation:Sheila

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) Cheering the passing of the landmark Indo-US Nuclear deal by the US Congress, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said it will bring about development never seen before and help India become the most powerful nation of the world.

''The Nuclear deal is going to benefit each one of us, take the country forward and bring about development never seen before...I am too happy that we at length were able to create a history. The deal will help India become the most powerful nation of the world,'' Ms Dikshit told reporters after launching an Eco-friendly Dual-Powered Rickshaw - Soleckshaw here this evening.

Denouncing the Opposition parties for their stand on the Indo-US Nuclear agreement, Ms Dikshit said they were seeing every step the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was taking to develop the country with a ''jaundiced eye.'' Maintaining that the Congress has built the nation 'brick by brick', she said it was a shame to note that some partners of the ruling UPA do not see India in the same perspective as the Congress does. ''Why don't they want India to prosper, do well and sign the nuclear deal?'' she asked.

She said the Left parties owe allegiance to countries outside India. ''Why do they oppose it for India and not for their supposed friends -- China?, she asked, adding, ''They do something, mean something else and say a third thing.'' ''Those inveighing the UPA regime over the 123 agreement must know that we also love our country and know how to protect its interests,'' she underlined.

Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal, who was also present on the occasion, meanwhile, said, ''The US Congress has removed the last hurdle in lifting the 34-year-old global ban on the sale of nuclear fuel and technology to India. The Senate voted 86 to 13 the measure signed by US President George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in July 2005. I am happy that the deal got such an overwhelming response. It was passed with two-third majority which shows that the UPA's step was right.'' UNI ATI RP RK1715