Now or never?

As UPA leaders reconvene on Wednesday to end the nuclear impasse, the government can no longer afford a non-decision. The Congress must either persuade the Left to accept a reasonable compromise or part ways. For the communists, who have openly talked about killing the deal by stringing the government along, postponement is surely attractive. Further delay would simply signal a meek surrender from the Congress. The communists have a narrow ideological agenda in opposing India’s nuclear liberation. The regional parties, who are trying to broker peace between the Congress and the Left, must also cast a glance at the national agenda. Saving the ruling coalition cannot be the sole criterion for the Congress, which has a political obligation to defend the national interest.

For its part, the Congress leadership must offer a face saver to the communists. One such proposal, circulating in the capital, involves the communists lifting their objection to the government sending the safeguards agreement to the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency and then approaching the Nuclear Suppliers Group for an endorsement of the deal. In return, the government agrees to come back to Parliament before proceeding with the final step — the signing of the bilateral nuclear framework with the United States. In this give and take, the Congress yields on the government’s prerogative to sign and ratify international agreements, and the communists win the right to halt and review the deal at the last stage.

Although the government seems amenable, the CPM has apparently raised the unacceptable demand for a commitment from the government to forgo nuclear cooperation with the US. Such a compromise will be dishonourable, because it asks India to dump the very partner who initiated and led the international effort to end its extended nuclear isolation. It is a no-brainer since India cannot get the deal through the IAEA and the NSG without American support. Ranting against the US when Communist China is the only power opposing India’s entry into the nuclear club might make sense to the CPM. It makes none at all for India’s nuclear future. If the communists are not ready to see reason, the Congress must take the final, long overdue decision — to send the safeguards agreement to the IAEA and face up to the consequences. Acting quickly and decisively, the Congress can regain political credibility and create the space for itself to redirect the coalition pressures against the Left. If it gives in to the CPM now, the Congress will be committing political hara-kiri.