Going one step forward, the US said on Thursday it has no problem in concluding nuclear deal with the minority government. The US this way has given clear signal to Congress-led UPA government that even if it loses majority in Parliament in case of withdrawing support by the Left parties, the US would not unwilling to go ahead with the minority government in completing nuclear deal.
The statement made by US clearly shows that how desperate they are to see the civil nuclear deal ‘operated successfully’ before the end of the current Bush regime. The election process to choose the next president of US is on its way and the new President will be elected later this year, which certainly will not be George Bush.
During an interview, US assistant secretary of state Richard Boucher said that US could sign an accord with a duly constituted government, whatever its political status.
The recent statement issued by Boucher was made in contradiction with the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who had said, “a minority government cannot, need not and should not sign a major agreement.”
Boucher however refused to comment on the details of the possibility of signing deal with a minority government.
Boucher’s recent statement is significant in wake of the fresh threat from the Left that it will withdraw support to the Centre if it goes ahead with the nuclear deal. This threat of falling government from the Left has been prompting the government to move cautiously on the deal.
In the meeting of the core group of the Congress, which met last Friday, it was decided not to taking any step that would antagonise the Left allies.
With the Foreign Minister schedule to visit US later this month, the Left allies may condemn Boucher for putting pressure on the government for signing a nuke deal.
In the Left-UPA working committee meeting, which is due to meet on March 17, the Congress Party is expected to seek concessions and can discuss with the Left what the government should do in such circumstances.
With the arrival of Indian delegation constituted for the purpose of negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Congress will unravel the dialogue with the Left allies and the further course of action-how to proceed with the US on deal- will depend on the consensus within the committee.
A ray of hope
The Indian ambassador to US Ronen Sen, however has given a hint that “negotiators” on the nuclear deal have not given up hopes and said New Delhi was committed to go ahead with the deal. He said the government was keen to wrap up the remaining steps in the agreement.
“As far as the status of the civilian nuclear co-operation agreement is concerned, I would like to say clearly and categorically that the government is committed to that,” Sen was quoted as saying.
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