New Delhi, February 1
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sent out a subtle message to the United States when he publicly stated, for the first time since the July 18 Indo-US nuclear agreement, that Russia and France were also keen on nuclear energy cooperation with India and set up nuclear power facilities here.
The Tribune understands that French President Jacques Chirac, who is scheduled to come here later this month, is going to make a major announcement on a nuclear energy cooperation agreement with India which will be far larger in scope and better
than the Indo-US nuke deal currently being negotiated by New Delhi and Washington.
During his 90-minute press conference at Vigyan Bhavan — his second since he became Prime Minister 20 months ago — Dr Manmohan Singh debunked the notion that Indo-US relations had become unifocal in nature ever since the July 18 nuclear agreement was signed between him and President George Bush. He said India’s ties with the US were “not a one-shot relationship” and the two democracies were engaged in cooperation in as diverse fields as science and technology, agriculture and trade. He said India was hopeful of ushering in the second green revolution with cooperation of the US.
On Iran and the IAEA meeting at Vienna beginning tomorrow where India may have to participate in voting, Dr Manmohan Singh said he had not seen the draft resolution of the US-backed EU3 (Germany, France and UK) resolution and the Indian stand would depend on how this resolution is worded. He, however, made it clear that Iran, as signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, was entitled to all the rights that go with the NPT.
At the same time, he added the rider that “Simultaneously Iran must fulfill all obligations.” Dr Manmohan Singh said his government was in favour of the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme being settled within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “We want the matter should be resolved
through diplomacy and dialogue.”
He said India had not acted under any kind of pressure and said that whatever decision his government were to take on voting in Vienna in the next two days, it would be taken on the basis of what suited the national interests most.
He also sought to assuage the hurt feelings of various political parties — the Left Front included — who voiced concern about behind-the-scene dealings with the US on the nuclear deal and assured the nation that his government will keep Parliament informed. “I will take the first opportunity to inform the nation through Parliament on the Indo-US nuclear agreement,” he said.
The Prime Minister, who is also the External Affairs Minister, appeared more forthright and comfortable in fielding foreign policy-related questions rather than political questions.
However, there was one foreign policy-related question where he refused to divulge much. The Prime
Minister merely said it was not proper for him to divulge the details of his government’s interactions with the West Bengal Government and added: “He (the Chief Minister) did have some reservations (about the military exercises but the matter was amicably resolved.
