What the NSA told Amar Singh

The meeting between National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh provided the Government another opportunity...

The meeting between National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh provided the Government another opportunity to state its oft-repeated arguments on the nuclear deal. While Amar Singh had gone into the meeting in the hope of getting enlightened by fresh facts, he was presented by arguments that have been made umpteen number of times.

According to a statement from the PMO, here8217;s what Narayanan told Amar Singh:

8226;On fears that the agreement would dilute India8217;s independent decision-making on its foreign policy: The civil nuclear cooperation agreement did not and would not affect the autonomy of decision-making in regard to foreign affairs in any manner. India had always followed an independent foreign policy. Under no circumstances, would this position undergo a change, the least of all in the context of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement. India has always regarded its strategic autonomy in these matters as sacrosanct.

8226;On the agreement8217;s bearing on India8217;s relations with Iran: It is time-honoured and civilisational in nature and no outside influence or pressure could force India to deviate from this path. The Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline epitomises the nature and importance of this relationship. India is not under any pressure, nor can it be pressurised to follow a course of action that is not dictated by our enlightened self-interest.

8226;On fears that India8217;s military programme might be jeopardised: The deal would not in any way impinge on our strategic programme. The 123 agreement contains a specific mention that the agreement would not affect un-safeguarded nuclear activities, that is, activities involving our strategic programme which are not under safeguards.

8226;Which is supreme 8212; 123 agreement or Hyde Act: The 123 agreement clearly overrides the Hyde Act and this position would be clear to anyone who goes through the provisions.

8226;On whether India8217;s right to carry out a nuclear test would be undermined: There is nothing in the agreement which places an embargo on India8217;s right to carry out a nuclear test if it thinks this is necessary in India8217;s supreme national interest.