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US lawmakers’ letter on Iran irks Left, BJP New Delhi, May 4 Responding to concerns and allegations that national interest and sovereignty were being compromised by the government in talks on the deal, parliamentary affairs minister P. R. Dasmunshi assured the house that the Prime Minister would be informed of the sentiments of the
members. Reports in the media today said US senator Tom Lantos had written a letter to the Prime Minister asking India to “sever” military ties with Iran and “terminate” all cooperation in the energy sector. The issue came up as soon as the Rajya Sabha met with BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, Brinda Karat (CPM) and Digvijay Singh (JD-U) terming the letter as an open threat and interference in the country’s internal affairs. They sought the suspension of question hour to have a discussion on the issue and also sought an explanation from the government. Repeated pleas by chairman of the house Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for allowing question hour were ignored by the members. They said they had given notices for its suspension to discuss the issue. Sinha, who spoke first, said the government had not taken Parliament into confidence in the negotiations on the deal. Dangerous developments are taking place... most dangerous if the Congress government is buckling under US pressure to accept the terms prescribed in the Hyde Act. We must send a strong message to the US senator that such pressures would not be tolerated. The letter was sent to the Prime Minister on Wednesday. Ms Karat said the letter was an open threat to the sovereignty of the nation and it was essential for the house to condemn it. She added that the US ambassador to India David C. Mulford should be called and told that such pressure tactics would not be tolerated. She alleged that Parliament, despite being in session, was being kept in dark about the ongoing negotiations. When the signing of the agreement (happens), Parliament would not be in session. It is essential for the Prime Minister to give us an explanation, she said seeking a clarification from the government on the current negotiations. Iran has been our friend, is our friend and will remain our friend, Digvijay Singh said, adding that 100 crore Indians will not bow to US pressure. The letter, he said, was a challenge to the sovereignty of the nation. Dasmunshi said it was not the philosophy of the UPA government to hide anything from Parliament and it would not make any compromise on national interest and sovereignty. The minister said there was a big difference in the philosophy of the UPA and NDA. It was not in Congress’ nature to surrender to the US.
Sweden to support nuke deal in NSG Rajeev Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 4 Visiting Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt made his government’s stand clear on its stance before the NSG during his talks with external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee today. Sweden said it was watching the negotiations between India and the USA and would be taking its decisions after that only. The Swedish foreign minister conveyed his government’s understanding and appreciation of India’s concerns and needs for energy and assured Mukherjee of a positive approach. The NSG is the third and final frontier for the implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal. The nuke deal cannot be implemented without the nod of the NSG, even if the first two stages - signing of the 123 agreement between India and the US and signing of an Additional Protocol between India and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - are successfully over. India and Sweden are also on the same page on the issue of the United Nations reforms. The Swedish foreign minister made it clear that no other country would have as strong a claim as India for permanent seat in the Security Council. He said his country favoured reforms of the UN, as it realises that the world of today is very different from the world of 1945. India and Sweden have a strategic relationship. The first Strategic Dialogue was held between national security advisor M.K.Naraynan and the Swedish state secretary in the Prime Minister’s office in January 2006. Mukherjee appreciated the Swedish government’s desire to enhance engagement with India across the board and to deepen and diversify the bilateral relationship, particularly in the area of trade and economic development. This was given an impetus when the Prime Minister of Sweden had visited India in May 2004.
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