Indian Communists Issue Ultimatum Over Nuclear Deal

Communists in India yesterday threatened to withdraw support from the administration of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh if it continues to pursue a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with the United States, Reuters reported (see GSN, Sept. 12).

Experts said the statement by the head of the country’s largest communist party hurt Singh’s chances of completing his five-year term in power.  If he continues to back the nuclear deal, Singh could have to decide whether to call elections before the end of his term in May 2009 or continue leading India with minority support.

“We won't be there to help this government conclude this agreement,” said Communist Party of India (Marxist) chief Prakash Karat.  “That’s final.”

Karat said that to maintain the communists’ support, Singh’s government must not pursue planned negotiations with the U.N. nuclear watchdog for carrying out inspections of Indian civilian nuclear facilities.  Such inspections are one requirement for gaining access to U.S. nuclear technology and materials.

“Don't go.  Wait for some time.  Listen to our objections.  Examine these objections.  Let parliament opine on it,” he said.  “But they have not so far agreed.”

“This is not a normal matter of differences between us.  The question is, why this determination to go ahead despite the fact that the main parties on which the government depends on for its majority say no” (Kamil Zaheer, Reuters/Washington Post, Sept. 13).

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