NEW DELHI, 9 April 2006 — Strongly defending the Indo-US nuclear deal, Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran yesterday dismissed apprehensions at home of India having compromised its position or damaged its credibility in any manner.
Accepting that the deal is “delicately balanced,” Saran categorically asserted that “substantial changes” or “revisions” to it would be unacceptable to India.
In an interview with CNN-IBN, Saran hoped that the US legislation, seeking the deal’s implementation, would be framed within already agreed parameters. The US Congress is deliberating on the deal.
Dismissing criticism on the deal damaging credibility of India’s nuclear deterrent, Saran said: “We have preserved all our basic positions.”
When questioned by another TV channel on US demands that India declare its minimum credible nuclear deterrent, Saran replied: “What our credible minimum deterrent would be is really for India to decide.”
Saran also dismissed apprehensions of India having given in to US pressure. “I see no reason why there should be anxieties that we are always vulnerable to pressure.”
On whether India’s defense security has been sacrificed to finalize the deal, Saran asserted: “No, absolutely not. 100 percent no.”
Saran, who has just returned after talks with the Bush administration, also tacitly accepted that negotiations on the deal have not been smooth sailing. “It is very important to remember that whatever we have agreed upon is the result of very, very difficult, very tough negotiations. What we have at this point of time is an extremely carefully, delicately balanced understanding. Whatever legislation that is passed must remain within those parameters,” Saran said.
Political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the left, have not backtracked on their opposition to the deal. One of the key issues being constantly raised by BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani and Rajnath Singh in their countrywide campaign yatras (processions) is the nuclear deal with Washington. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has also announced that after the assembly election in West Bengal, the party will review its support for the Congress-led federal government.
Republican House leader Dennis Hastert and other lawmakers announced Friday plans to visit India next week to discuss the deal. Hastert will head the eight-member group, which plans to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi during the April 9-12 trip.
“The delegation will discuss the recent initiatives between the two countries, including the importance of civil nuclear cooperation initiatives in strengthening the international nonproliferation system,” Hastert’s office said in a statement.
The group will also visit Nepal and Vietnam, the statement said.
Republican Sen. Charles Hagel also announced travel plans to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan from April 8 to 15.
