The Hindu Business Line : Left flays N-deal; Chambers upbeat

The Indo-US nuclear deal, which secured the stamp of approval from the US Senate on Wednesday, has elicited strong reaction from the political and business corridors. The Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement, entered into between the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the US President, Mr George W Bush, in 2005, was approved by the Senate with 86 voting for and 13 against with bi-partisan support after throwing out the amendments moved by two Democratic Senators.

The Left parties, which had earlier withdrawn support to the United Progressive Alliance led by Dr Manmohan Singh on the issue, said the deal “will be a surrender” to the US and if the Government goes ahead and signs the 123 Agreement, it would amount to “betrayal” of the country’s vital interests. While the Bharatiya Janata Party felt that India has entered into a “blind trap” and finally acceded to the nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Congress termed it as a “historic moment”.

The industry chambers were also upbeat. With Indo-US Civil agreement in place, a minimum of Rs 2 lakh crore investments would come in nuclear power generation sector in next 15 years, said Assocham. FICCI urged the Government to immediately initiate the next steps for building nuclear power generation capacity. According to FICCI, changes in the Atomic Energy Act should allow for majority ownership for private sector investors. This will give a boost to investments.

PM refuses to comment: The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Thursday refused to comment on the American Congressional nod to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. “I will comment only when it becomes a law,” he told reporters here after a function at his residence.

— Our Bureau

More Stories on : Politics | Power | Industry Associations

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Life after nuclear deal

France plans to sell large 1,600 MW reactor to India

‘Time to frame well-knit labour policy’

Left flays N-deal; Chambers upbeat