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Scientists brief Opposition leaders about nuclear tests

Opposition leaders were today briefed by scientists, at the prime minister's home, about why India had to go in for nuclear tests, while the finance secretary explained the effects the sanctions would have.

The meeting with the scientists, who included Atomic Energy Commission chairman R Chidamabaram and scientific advisor to the defence minister A P J Abdul Kalam, was arranged by the prime minister after Opposition leaders had raised some doubts about the need for the tests, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana said.

The scientists first met Congress leaders Sharad Pawar and Dr Manmohan Singh, and later CPI-M leader Somnath Chatterjee, RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav, CPI leader Indrajit Gupta, TMC leader P Chidambaram, SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and DMK leader Murasoli Maran.

According to Khurana, who was present at the prime minister's home, the scientists used a slide projector to explain why the tests had to be carried out. After the first nuclear test in 1974 there had been many technical developments and India had kept pace with these, they told the political leaders.

The leaders were also apprised by Foreign Secretary K Raghunath and Finance Secretary Montek Singh Ahluwalia about the effect of the sanctions. According to the finance secretary, the sanctions by the United States would have no impact this year. While the element of US aid was negligible, what would have to be observed is how America would influence the World Bank and other nations.

The finance secretary's observation was that the US administration and American entrepreneurs were divided over the sanctions against India, and the latter were putting pressure on the government to lift the sanctions.

UNI

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