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CPI for nuclear pacts with Russia, France

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India on Wednesday favoured civilian nuclear cooperation agreements with countries other than the U.S. where draconian provisions such as the Hyde Act were not present. “Countries like Russia and France are willing to have nuclear cooperation with India and there is no Hyde Act also,” CPI General Secretary A. B. Bardhan told reporters here after releasing the draft political resolution to be taken up at the 20th party Congress in March.

“The nuclear agreement with the U.S. will serve to deepen the global strategic partnership and create new opportunities for U.S. business in India. U.S. is striving for a “grand design on Asia” by co-opting India as a strategic ally and aiming to contain China,” it said.

The draft resolution said: “[The] 123 Agreement is the culmination of the drift of the UPA government from the stated position of the Common Minimum Programme on foreign policy issues.”

Noting that the CMP had committed the government to pursue an independent foreign policy aimed at promoting multi-polarity in world relations, it said the U.S. pursued only unilateralism.

The CPI said if the UPA was not a “one-issue government” and “also realises that it depends on the Left support for its survival, then it should tarry and ponder, and not hurriedly push ahead with the nuclear deal, regardless of consequences.”

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