INDIA: Leftist parties step up their opposition to a controversial nuclear deal with the United States

Record ID: 1374192

  • Title: INDIA: Leftist parties step up their opposition to a controversial nuclear deal with the United States
  • Date: 21st August 2007
  • Summary: NEW DELHI (AUGUST 20, 2007) (ANI) EXTERIORS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST) HEAD OFFICE SITARAM YECHURY, POLITBURO MEMBER, COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST), ENTERING THE OFFICE A. B. BARDHAN, GENERAL SECRETARY, COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (CPI) AND D. RAJA, NATIONAL SECRETARY OF CPI ARRIVING REPORTERS AND CAMERAMEN STANDING (SUBCON) NEW DELHI (AUGUST 20, 2007) (ANI) PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSHI, INDIA' PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS MINISTER, ARRIVING TO TALK TO REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSHI, INDIA' PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS MINISTER, SAYING: "Every party has the freedom to put forth their requests and views but there is no decision from the part of the government on the joint parliamentary committee. Neither is it required." (SUBCON) NEW DELHI (ANI) VARIOUS OF UNITED STATES PRESIDENT GEORGE. W. BUSH AND INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH MEETING AT NEW DELHI
  • Embargoed: 6th September 2007 04:47
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA8CWP21WL48QCJWMNYNHKHUEC
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: India's communists stepped up their opposition to a controversial nuclear deal with the United States on Monday (August 20), with one senior leader threatening to cut off vital support to the government if it pursued the pact.
    The four main left parties, who have 60 MPs in the lower house of parliament have urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's coalition not to pursue talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to clinch the deal.
    When asked if the left would withdraw support if the government ignored its warning and went ahead with the talks, A.B. Bardhan, head of the second largest communist party was quoted as saying: "There is no doubt about it."
    Bardhan's Communist Party of India accounts for 10 of the 60 left MPs.
    The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is the largest with 43 MPs and it is yet to clearly spell out whether it intends to end its backing.
    The government would fall or be reduced to a minority if the left lawmakers withdraw support.
    Under the deal, India will get access to U.S. nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in three decades to meet soaring energy needs, even though New Delhi has tested nuclear weapons and not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
    Supporters hail the deal as a landmark in improving India-U.S.
    relations. Critics in India say it impinges on India's nuclear programme and independent foreign policy.
    The communists had earlier warned the government of "serious consequences" if it went ahead with the deal, virtually putting it on notice nearly two years before its termin 2009.
    The fresh communist warning came a day after the Congress party-led coalition closed ranks behind Singh and expressed optimism that the left's concerns could be addressed.
    Singh again emphasised on Monday the importance of nuclear energy for India as it tries to boost its energy sources for its rapidly growing economy.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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