Sonia congratulates PM on Nuclear deal

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for successfully clinching the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Ms Gandhi, in a statement issued here said, ''I specially congratulate the Prime Minister who has demonstrated a firm resolve in taking forward this bold initiative.'' ''This is also an occasion to compliment our nuclear scientists, who, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi made India self reliant in nuclear technology despite a discriminatory regime and denial of technology for over three decades,'' she added.

She said the passage of the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement by the US Congress was a landmark development. It marks the successful culmination of a process initiated by Dr Singh in July 2005, guided by India's supreme national interest, and endorsed throughout by the Congress.

Ms Gandhi said it was an acknowledgement of India's impeccable credentials which paves the way for the country's integration into the global mainstream. This historic step as well as the NSG exemption has opened the door for India entering into the civil nuclear cooperation with the United States and other major countries with advanced technologies, including France, Russia and the UK.

This agreement will be mutually rewarding for India and the international community and shall help in addressing the twin challenges of energy security and climate change.

''This is a notable achievement of the UPA Government and will contribute immediately in augmenting the much-needed energy generation capacity for agriculture and in meeting our developmental objectives,'' Ms Gandhi added.

UNI/BKS SB RK1945