N-deal a win-win for India, says Singh

Singh said the agreement will help India to ‘‘break out of its present isolation’’ and gain access to civilian nuclear technology without in any way ‘‘diminishing our strategic nuclear capabilities’’ in a reference to India’s atomic arsenal.

Insisting that the nuclear pact was agreed ‘‘only after taking into full account all national security interests’’, Singh promised to make a suo motu statement in the Parliament at the earliest on the nuclear pact.

‘‘While competitive parliamentary politics sometimes diverts attention from national goals,’’ Singh said he ‘‘had full faith in the inherent patriotism of all sections of our country’’.

Asked about the balance of obligations undertaken by India and the United States under the nuclear pact, Singh underlined the centrality of reciprocity. ‘‘Only when the US implements its part of the bargain, we will be called upon to implement our obligations’’, Singh said. This process, he added will be undertaken in a ‘‘phased manner’’.

‘‘A carefully selected’’ joint Indo-US working group, according to Singh, ‘‘will determine how best to progress’’ on the mutual obligations under the nuclear pact.

Questioned about the ability of President George W Bush to implement the nuclear pact amidst potential opposition within the US Congress, Singh said he was ‘‘impressed by the sincerity of the President and his cabinet colleagues’’.

‘‘I am hopeful and confident that the Bush Administration will use all its influence to convert the joint statement on nuclear cooperation into a living reality’’.

Singh declared that the new warmth in Indo-US relations is not directed against Pakistan or China. Expanded Indo-US economic engagement, he said, will not only allow India to accelerate its economic growth but also those of India’s neighbours.

Pointing to the rapidly improving relations with China, Singh said India will ‘‘pursue purposeful engagement with our great neighbour to the north’’.

‘‘A strong and resurgent India is good for growth and balance in Asia and the rest of the world’’, Singh insisted. On the absence of explicit US support for India’s permanent membership of the UNSC, Singh was not disappointed. ‘‘We have created conditions that when the time comes, the US will be on our side,’’ he said.