Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » News » PTI
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Indian nuclear scientists unhappy with N-bill passage
Related Articles
Coverage: Indo-US nuclear tango

How the vote went

Do we need the nuclear deal?

Uncle Sam's devious plans

Get news updates:What's this?
Advertisement
July 27, 2006 23:10 IST

India's top nuclear scientists, on Thursday, opposed the US law for implementing the nuclear deal between the two countries, which they say goes against the nation's interests and makes it 'subservient' to Washington.

Hours after the House of Representatives approved the bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] assured Parliament that India would not not accept any provision beyond the July 18 agreement last year.

However, the scientists do not buy the government's explanation that the provisions of the US law were a matter between the President and the Congress. They say Washington's behaviour in its nuclear dealings with India in the past did not evoke confidence.

The scientists, who were earlier part of the Indian nuclear establishment, say the deal of July 18, 2005 would be directly subject to the US legislation and will adversely affect India's nuclear programme and strategic interests because there are several provisions that go beyond the agreement.

The scientists discount repeated assurances of Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh in Parliament that India would not compromise on its nuclear rights and interests, saying they were not not convincing in the light of what was happening.

Former Atomic Energy Commission chairman M R Srinivasan feels the provisions of the US law are 'intrusive' and makes one feel that Wasghington is treating India as a 'subservient entity' and not not as a sovereign, responsible nuclear power.


© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback