US deal not covers nuke tests: India

NEW DELHI—Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said there is no bar on India to conduct nuclear test under the Indo-US nuclear cooperation deal. Responding to the debate on the deal in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Pranab Mukherjee said it will also not affect foreign policy of the country.
The debate was held yesterday during which the members belonging to BJP-led opposition and Left parties opposed the deal. Referring to conducting of nuclear tests, he said decision will be taken in this regard keeping in view the geo-political scenario. “If we feel the test is necessary from geo-poltical situation, we will do it. In the 123 Agreement, it has not been banned,” he said. Mukherjee said if such a step is taken by New Delhi “consequences will also follow” as in 1974 and 1998.
“Our foreign policy is independent,” he said adding India would be bound only by the 123 Agreement and not by the Hyde Act. India is opposed to massive weaponisation and favours a comprehensive universal disarmament, he said adding however, it needs credible minimum nuclear deterrent. Referring to the nuclear stand off between Iran and the West, the Minister said the stand-off would not be resolved through threats and hurting of Tehran’s national pride. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the proper forum to discuss and resolve the controversial nuclear programme of Iran.
Rejecting the accusations of the opposition that India’s foreign policy was being affected by the Indo-US nuclear deal as it voted against Iran in IAEA, he said “there is no denying the fact that we voted at IAEA against Iran. The intention was to ensure that its nuclear issue does not go to the Security Council as it would entail sanctions and more problems. “
“Iran is an old civilisation. It is a proud nation...It is not that these issues will be resolved by threatening them and hurting their national pride,” he said. However, statement of the Minister could not satisfy the opposition members. Left parties joined the Opposition BJP and Third Front in staging a walkout insisting that the sense of the House be taken. They said the government is all alone on this issue.
Responding to the debate on the deal in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Pranab Mukherjee said it will also not affect foreign policy of the country. The debate was held yesterday during which the members belonging to BJP-led opposition and Left parties opposed the deal. Referring to conducting of nuclear tests, he said decision will be taken in this regard keeping in view the geo-political scenario. “If we feel the test is necessary from geo-poltical situation, we will do it. In the 123 Agreement, it has not been banned,” he said.
Mukherjee said if such a step is taken by New Delhi “consequences will also follow” as in 1974 and 1998. “Our foreign policy is independent,” he said adding India would be bound only by the 123 Agreement and not by the Hyde Act. India is opposed to massive weaponisation and favours a comprehensive universal disarmament, he said adding however, it needs credible minimum nuclear deterrent.
Referring to the nuclear stand off between Iran and the West, the Minister said the stand-off would not be resolved through threats and hurting of Tehran’s national pride.—Agencies