IBNLive.com > 123, go! Govt walks into US 'trap', Left in lurch : face the nation, indo-us nuclear deal, Left

IBNLive.com > 123, go! Govt walks into US 'trap', Left in lurch : face the nation, indo-us nuclear deal, Left

The finalization of 123 Nuclear Pact shows lack of diplomatic skills on India's side. There was absolutely no rush to finalize this deal in a hurry. This pact has a huge strategic value for India yet the government of Dr. Manmohan Singh decided to adopt "my way or highway" approach to this matter and ignored other political leaders' concerns on this matter.

It failed to take major political parties in confidence. It seems like all major political parties except Congress, RJD and NCP are against this deal. UPA government did nothing to build consensus in Indian political circles. The UPA government is one of India's weakest governments ever. I have said this before and I think it is not out of place to say it again - The UPA government has not acted wisely on India's international affairs interests. For example, there was no need to be a part of 4 nation group to stake claim for UNSC permanent membership.

Let us see what are the objections raised by the Left Front:

-Foreign policy prescriptions of the Hyde Act remain valid, for example, isolating and sanctioning Iran.

- Non-compliance can become a cause for terminating 123.

- Full civilian nuclear co-operation assurance of the Prime Minister not upheld.

- It denies "cooperation or access in any form whatsoever" to fuel enrichment, reprocessing and heavy-water production technologies.

- Left is worried that the fuel supply assurances may not hold. "Whether fuel supply will continue even after the cessation or termination of the agreement solely depends on the US Congress".

- Hyde Act requires US to act with NSG to terminate all future supplies.

- India will be deprived of advanced nuclear or dual use technology.

It will be quite interesting to see how Indian Parliament deals with this contentious issue of 123 Nuclear Pact with the US.

Let me try to analyze the political support for the 123 Nuclear Pact in Indian Parliament.

In Lok Sabha 219 out of 545 (Indian National Congress 72, BSP 5, DMK 3, RJD 7, NCP 5)= 40% (Minority in Lok Sabha)

In Rajya Sabha 92 out of 245(Indian National Congress 150, BSP 18, DMK 16, RJD 24, NCP 11)= 38% (Minority in Rajya Sabha)

If the votes were taken today, it is highly unlikely that the 123 Pact will be approved by the Indian Parliament.

Recently, when I asked one of my Indian friends to give an opinion on the 123 Nuclear Pact, I got this response - It is like an Indian girl getting married to an Indian guy in an arranged marriage system knowing fully that it is the bride who will be expected to do everything. The groom can sit around, boss around and take her for ride for next 40 years. During this 40 years period, the groom can torture like hell for reasons like dowry and there is nothing she can do because she can't divorce him for 40 years. When this period of 40 years ends, she will be too damn old to think of divorce and getting remarried to someone else.

Please stay tuned !!!!!

++ Personally speaking, I cannot support the 123 Nuclear Pact unless I see India distancing itself from Iran.(our enemy no. 1)

***