Critics Maintain Opposition to Indian Nuclear Deal

Key Indian critics of a planned nuclear trade deal with the United States have shown no sign of dropping their opposition, the Economic Times reported today (see GSN, March 26).

The deal to enable the purchase of U.S. nuclear materials and technology has faced criticism from key supporters of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ruling coalition.  They have threatened to force early elections if Singh signs an agreement giving the International Atomic Energy Agency power to monitor India’s civil nuclear activities or if he seeks an exemption from international rules that bar key nuclear sales to India.  The critics have argued that the proposed deal would give the United States too much influence over Indian policies.

In a report today to its members, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said it would urge India’s prime minister “not to finalize the safeguards agreement with the IAEA or go to the” Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Singh’s government is facing other domestic problems and cannot risk early elections, the Times reported.  The communist party has exploited its leverage.

“The successful conduct and the struggle to block the nuclear deal should help the party and the Left to rally other anti-imperialist forces to go forward with the struggle to prevent the strategic alliance with the U.S.,” the report says (Amita Shah, Times News Network/Economic Times, April 1).

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