With India virtually putting on hold its civilian nuclear agreement with the United States, Australia has decided to review its plans to sell uranium to New Delhi. Efforts for a US-India nuclear pact, which would open India to IAEA, paved the way for Australia's uranium deal with India. Following reports that the negotiations for the operationalisation of the Indo-US deal have been stalled, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia will need to consult New Delhi.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to brief United States President George W Bush on the developments about the India-United States nuclear agreement in the wake of stiff opposition by the Left parties. In his telephonic conversation, Singh is likely to apprise Bush about the hurdles faced by his government in taking the next steps to operationalise the deal. The Left parties have repeatedly threatened the govt of grave consequences.
The crucial meeting of the United Progressive Alliance-Left committee on the India-United States nuclear deal was held in New Delhi on Tuesday, amidst and divergent views expressed by both sides on the issue that further fuelled speculation about mid-term polls.
Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, for the second successive day at a Washington, DC, news conference said that if she returns to power she would make available Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan to the IAEA.
Use of force against Tehran can exacerbate tensions: India
'The US motivations are far from clear, but there is a balance of rights and obligations in the Indo-US deal.'
The prime minister will address each House of Parliament on Friday.
India's stand was regrettable and not in conformity with the pursuit of an independent foreign policy.\n\n
"It is a mistake on the part of India to have voted against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting," Jaya said.
It is not Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram on one side and we on the other. People of the country also has a say," Bardhan said.
Buoyed by the International Atomic Energy Agency's approval of the India-specific safeguards pact, the US on Sunday vowed to push through expeditiously the Nuclear Suppliers Group process but said New Delhi would have to answer a lot of questions to secure a waiver from the 45-nation bloc when it meets later this month.
The ominous explanations of some of the NSG countries in the Board should alert to the perils ahead.
A supporter of the N-deal gives a chilling insight into the deep conviction of the group of nuclear deal supporters in market economy and their unwavering faith in the inherent strengths of India.
At a press briefing at Washington DC's National Press Club on the eve of the IAEA board of governors meeting, nonproliferation experts called on the NSG not to reach a consensus on the accord, since it was 'seriously flawed and would undermine the professed objectives of the NSG'
Bolton, who is the chief US envoy to the United Nations, said involving the Security Council will not displace the IAEA, but will "strengthen the hand" of the agency in dealing with Iran.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday asked the government to suspend all further action on the Indo-US nuclear deal until it proves its majority in the Lok Sabha. The party also sought an assurance from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the draft of safegaurd agreement sent to the International Atomic Energy Agency would be withdrawn if he loses the trust vote.
Even before it faces the confidence vote in the Lok Sabha, the government will brief the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors in Vienna on July 18 on the India-specific safeguards agreement, which the board is likely to discuss on August 1 to help the implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal. India on Monday informed the 35 member-countries on the board of governors about the July 18 briefing, IAEA sources said.
A crucial meeting of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency to build a consensus on India-specific safeguards accord essential to help implement Indo-US nuclear deal has been postponed from July 28 and is likely to be held on August 1, IAEA sources said.
The challenge before the Congress is to get its arithmetic right and mount an operation that is foolproof, particularly after the way things were botched up in Srinagar
Unfazed over the Left's decision to withdraw support to UPA government, the Congress on Tuesday said there was no threat to the Manmohan Singh-led ministry and that it would prove its majority in Parliament.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who arrived in Japan on Monday to attend the G-8 summit, met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss various issues listed on the summit's agenda, including the climate change which tops it.
While 33 per cent Indians favour building new plants, 23 per cent would like the existing ones to continue and are against building new ones.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will leave for Tokyo for the G8 Summit at 8 am on Monday. Dr Singh will met US President George Bush on July 9.
If the government has the courage to defy its leftist allies, there is no better time to tackle these issues than now.
President Pervez Musharraf has made it clear on many occasions that whatever information is required will be provided through the government of Pakistan.
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India has agreed to separate its nuclear and military facilities, which would take time and the US has to change domestic laws to resume nuclear supplies to Indian reactors.
Rejecting the opposition charge that the government succumbed to American pressure, Mukherjee said India's vote was in 'conformity' with the country's policy.
Talks on for "acceptable compromise" on Iran N-issue: India