India could face isolation if deal not through: Pranab

[Nafees]

Kolkata, Feb 3 (PTI) In the wake of stiff Left opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal, the government today cautioned if the pact was derailed the country could face international "isolation".
"If the agreement is not through, we could have to face isolation and possibly isolation in sanction too," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said inaugurating the 176th Annual General Meeting of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce here.

Mukherjee said India and the global atomic watchdog IAEA were yet to find a common ground on the draft safeguards agreement necessary to operationalise the civilian nuclear deal with the US and discussions were still on.

After finalising the draft pact, the Congress-led government would place it before the UPA-Left panel to get a political go ahead for the deal that aims to bring India out of nuclear wilderness, Mukherjee said.

He said the agreements on civil nuclear cooperation with various countries would in particular "help in increasing the share of civil nuclear power in our energy mix" and ensure energy security.

"My ministry is aware of these challenges and are making all attempts by focusing on bilateral and multilateral engagements for cooperation with source countries," he said. PTI

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Interesting, what?

 

[Neo]

India may face isolation without N-deal: Mukherjee​

NEW DELHI, Feb 3: India and the IAEA discussing a complex civil nuclear deal are yet to clinch an acceptable agreement as Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee warned on Sunday that without it New Delhi could face global isolation.

“If the agreement is not through, we could have to face isolation and possibly isolation in sanction too,” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted by news agencies as saying at the annual general meeting of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Mukherjee said India and the global atomic watchdog were yet to find a common ground on the draft safeguards agreement necessary to operationalise the civilian nuclear deal with the United States and discussions were still on.

After finalising the draft pact, the Congress-led government would place it before a panel, involving its leftist allies, for a political go-ahead for the deal that aims to bring India out of nuclear wilderness, Mr Mukherjee said.

He said the agreements on civil nuclear cooperation with various countries would “help in increasing the share of civil nuclear power in our energy mix” and ensure energy security.

“My ministry is aware of these challenges and is making all attempts by focusing on bilateral and multilateral engagements for cooperation with source countries,” he said.

Once problems on the energy front were resolved, there would not be any stopping a sustainable growth at about 10 per cent in the 11th five-year plan.

India may face isolation without N-deal: Mukherjee -DAWN - Top Stories; February 04, 2008

 

[Neo]

“If the agreement is not through, we could have to face isolation and possibly isolation in sanction too,” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted by news agencies as saying at the annual general meeting of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce.

“My ministry is aware of these challenges and is making all attempts by focusing on bilateral and multilateral engagements for cooperation with source countries,” he said.

Interesting, what?

I would say so.

 

[solid snake]

Sanctions? What sanctions? What for? If India does not go through with this deal America will put sanctions on it? Very, very unlikely.

 

[Neo]

US says time is running out for India N-deal​

NEW DELHI, Feb 9: The civil nuclear deal offered by the US to India was almost at a ‘now or never’ stage, as a post-Bush administration may witness non-proliferation groups forcing additional conditionalities in it, US Ambassador David Mulford has said.

The CNN-IBN channel on Saturday released excerpts from its interview with Mr Mulford in which he said that if this is not processed in the present Congress it is unlikely that this deal will be offered again to India.

He added that if the deal were to be revived, it would have to go through the US Congress Committee process “and I think the non-proliferation groups would insist on changes in many of the terms or additional conditions.”

Mr Mulford said: “I believe and I know both Republicans and Democrats believe this is the time to finish this deal.”

US says time is running out for India N-deal -DAWN - Top Stories; February 10, 2008

 

[Goodperson]

Time is running out ??? Absolutely.

Only for Bush Administration.

 

[Neo]

US ambassador says it’s now or never for Indo-US nuclear deal

* David Mulford says US wants to help India become major economic world power
* Admits Americans puzzled by debate on deal​

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: The US ambassador to India has urged the Indian government to approve a nuclear cooperation pact with the United States, saying it was India’s last chance to sign the landmark deal.

“It is unlikely that this deal will be offered again to India,” Ambassador David Mulford said in an interview with news channel CNN-IBN to be broadcast on Sunday. He said the “atmosphere is changing”, adding, “I believe and I know both Republicans and Democrats believe ... this is the time to finish this deal.” Asked if the deal had reached a “now or maybe never” stage, Mulford said, “That’s pretty close to it.”

He said that if the deal were to be revived, it would have to go through the US Congress Committee process “and I think the non-proliferation groups would insist on changes in many of the terms or additional conditions”.

According to the Associated Press, the agreement would reverse three decades of American anti-proliferation policy by allowing the US to send nuclear fuel and technology to India, which has been cut off from the global atomic trade by its refusal to sign nonproliferation treaties and testing of nuclear weapons. In exchange, India would separate its military and civilian reactors, and place the civilian ones under international inspections.

While the Indian government has touted the deal as crucial to meeting the country’s growing energy needs, the country’s communist parties have strongly opposed it. They claim it would strengthen ties to the US, giving Washington excessive influence over Indian foreign policy.

Economic power: Mulford dismissed those concerns as “completely untrue”. “The United States wants to assist India in achieving its global vision of emerging as a major economic power in the world,” Mulford said. If the deal is signed, Mulford said, he believes “India will become the center of a civil nuclear industry in the world”. He clarified that there would be no agreement requiring India to purchase future technology from the US if the deal went through.

Puzzled: The US ambassador said Americans were puzzled at the present debate over the nuclear deal in India. He pointed out that the Bush administration and Congress had changed the country’s 1954 Atomic Energy Act to accommodate India and this was the first time such a change had been made.

Mulford also said the agreement would allow India to conduct nuclear tests – a concern among opposition leaders. “It’s very clear that India is free to do as it wishes with regard to future testing,” he said.

Despite resistance from opposition parties, the Indian government has pressed ahead with the nuclear deal and is in negotiations the International Atomic Energy Agency, a key step towards finalising the deal. The Nuclear Suppliers Group, a body of nations that exports nuclear materials, must also approve the deal.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Neo]

US ambassador says it’s now or never for Indo-US nuclear deal

* David Mulford says US wants to help India become major economic world power
* Admits Americans puzzled by debate on deal​

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: The US ambassador to India has urged the Indian government to approve a nuclear cooperation pact with the United States, saying it was India’s last chance to sign the landmark deal.

“It is unlikely that this deal will be offered again to India,” Ambassador David Mulford said in an interview with news channel CNN-IBN to be broadcast on Sunday. He said the “atmosphere is changing”, adding, “I believe and I know both Republicans and Democrats believe ... this is the time to finish this deal.” Asked if the deal had reached a “now or maybe never” stage, Mulford said, “That’s pretty close to it.”

He said that if the deal were to be revived, it would have to go through the US Congress Committee process “and I think the non-proliferation groups would insist on changes in many of the terms or additional conditions”.

According to the Associated Press, the agreement would reverse three decades of American anti-proliferation policy by allowing the US to send nuclear fuel and technology to India, which has been cut off from the global atomic trade by its refusal to sign nonproliferation treaties and testing of nuclear weapons. In exchange, India would separate its military and civilian reactors, and place the civilian ones under international inspections.

While the Indian government has touted the deal as crucial to meeting the country’s growing energy needs, the country’s communist parties have strongly opposed it. They claim it would strengthen ties to the US, giving Washington excessive influence over Indian foreign policy.

Economic power: Mulford dismissed those concerns as “completely untrue”. “The United States wants to assist India in achieving its global vision of emerging as a major economic power in the world,” Mulford said. If the deal is signed, Mulford said, he believes “India will become the center of a civil nuclear industry in the world”. He clarified that there would be no agreement requiring India to purchase future technology from the US if the deal went through.

Puzzled: The US ambassador said Americans were puzzled at the present debate over the nuclear deal in India. He pointed out that the Bush administration and Congress had changed the country’s 1954 Atomic Energy Act to accommodate India and this was the first time such a change had been made.

Mulford also said the agreement would allow India to conduct nuclear tests – a concern among opposition leaders. “It’s very clear that India is free to do as it wishes with regard to future testing,” he said.

Despite resistance from opposition parties, the Indian government has pressed ahead with the nuclear deal and is in negotiations the International Atomic Energy Agency, a key step towards finalising the deal. The Nuclear Suppliers Group, a body of nations that exports nuclear materials, must also approve the deal.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

US says time is running out for India N-deal

By Our Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Feb 9: The civil nuclear deal offered by the US to India was almost at a ‘now or never’ stage, as a post-Bush administration may witness non-proliferation groups forcing additional conditionalities in it, US Ambassador David Mulford has said.

The CNN-IBN channel on Saturday released excerpts from its interview with Mr Mulford in which he said that if this is not processed in the present Congress it is unlikely that this deal will be offered again to India.

He added that if the deal were to be revived, it would have to go through the US Congress Committee process “and I think the non-proliferation groups would insist on changes in many of the terms or additional conditions.”

Mr Mulford said: “I believe and I know both Republicans and Democrats believe this is the time to finish this deal.”

US says time is running out for India N-deal -DAWN - Top Stories; February 10, 2008

 

[Spring Onion]

PM 'optimistic', US senators set July deadline for N-deal

FULL COVERAGE
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New Delhi, February 20, 2008

First Published: 20:09 IST(20/2/2008)
Last Updated: 21:12 IST(20/2/2008)


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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday told visiting US senators that his government was "optimistic" about wrapping up the nuclear deal even as he was reminded that India needed to act quickly so that the deal can be ratified by the US Congress before July-end.

They also reminded India that the failure to clinch the deal could lead to a renegotiation of the deal if a Democrat becomes the next US president.

Democratic Senator Joseph Biden, chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry, former Democratic presidential candidate, and Chuck Hagel, a Republican senator, met Manmohan Singh and discussed an entire array of issues relating to the India-US relationship, including the nuclear deal.

"The prime minister appeared to be optimistic. He told us, no, it is not over," he said when asked what Manmohan Singh told him about the chances of the deal going through this year.

"He explained his difficulties and his party's dilemma and said he will pursue it," Biden replied while alluding to domestic politics in India, specially the opposition of the government's Left allies to the nuclear deal.

There was no word from the external affairs ministry or the prime minister's office on the meeting between the prime minister and the three US senators, who flew in here after observing Monday's polls in Pakistan.

In their discussions with the prime minister, the US senators underlined the need for India to quickly wrap up its pact with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) so that the deal can reach the US Congress in May or June.

"It will be very difficult if it is not ratified by the US Congress by July-end. If the deal does not go through, it will be re-negotiated by a Democrat president," Biden told reporters.

Asked whether July was the de facto deadline for the nuclear deal, Biden replied: "Practically, it is".

"Time is of essence. July is the end... If it is not done by the end of July, the deal does not go through. It has to reach the US Congress before June," he stressed.

"It's highly unlikely that the next president will be able to present the deal in its present form," he said while stressing that the Democratic Party, which has strong views relating to nuclear proliferation and arms control, will re-negotiate the deal if it comes to power.

"This is an important moment for India. If we don't get the IAEA pact within weeks, it's going to be physically difficult due to the Congressional calendar to get the deal through," said Senator John Kerry, the Democrat candidate for the 2004 presidential polls.

"The reluctance of senators had been overcome by their belief in the strength of the India-US relationship," he emphasised.

India is likely to finalise a safeguards pact with the IAEA later this month. But the Left parties have to approve the IAEA pact before the government can go ahead with the nuclear deal. With the Left's continuing opposition to the deal which it fears will make India subservient to the US' strategic interests, a big question mark continues to hover over the deal.

After India concludes the IAEA pact, the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has to change its guidelines allowing for resumption of global civil nuclear cooperation with New Delhi. The 123 India-US civil cooperation agreement will then have to be approved by an up and down vote by the US Congress before nuclear trade can resume between the two countries.

Stressing that the India-US strategic partnership was much bigger than just the nuclear deal, Biden, however, emphasised that the failure to push the deal through this year will nonetheless "indirectly impact" on this growing relationship.

"If the Indian government waits too long and sends it to us at the last moment, the deal will not go through. Our worry is that our failure to ratify the deal will then be seen in India as a rejection," he said.

"That will be a wrong message. We trust India. We trust Indians. We value very much India being brought to the nuclear table," he added.


PM 'optimistic', US senators set July deadline for N-deal- Hindustan Times

 

[Neo]

India must pass nuclear deal by May: US senators​

* Biden warns Indo-US relations may suffer if deal falls through​

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: India must complete by May all steps needed to conclude a nuclear technology deal with Washington to ensure the US Congress approves it before the presidential polls, three US senators said on Wednesday.

The India-US civilian nuclear energy deal has been held up due to opposition from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Communist allies who prop up the minority Congress-led government.

“Time is of the essence,” said Joseph Biden, one of three Democratic senators who were on a one-day visit to New Delhi after monitoring Pakistan’s parliamentary elections.

The pact still needs approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency to place India’s civilian nuclear reactors under UN safeguards as well as from the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade. The agreement, which would give New Delhi crucial access to civilian atomic technology, requires final approval by the US Congress where it currently enjoys bipartisan support.

But Washington officials say the deal is running out of time with a tight 2008 legislative calendar ahead of November’s US presidential elections.

“If we don’t have the deal back with us clearly prior to the month of July it will be very difficult to ratify the deal — not on the merits (of the deal), but on the mechanics on which our system functions,” Biden told a news conference..

Strained relations: He warned that if the deal did not go through, “it will have an indirect impact on the (Indo-US) relationship”. He said misunderstandings might develop on whether the US Congress had conspired to kill the deal. Biden also said that if the deal did not reach the US Congress in time, “it is highly unlikely the next president will be able to present the same deal”. “It will be renegotiated,” he added.

The senators met the Indian premier, who briefed them on the political compulsions affecting the deal. They said Singh remained optimistic about the deal.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Neo]

India unable to conclude LSA, N-deal with US​

* America competing with Russia to clinch $30bn military equipment deal * Gates says ‘clock ticking’ for India to conclude N-deal​

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: While seeking closer military relations with the United States, India has expressed its inability to conclude the Logistical Support Agreement (LSA) and nuclear deal at the earliest, citing domestic opposition.

Sources here said that during talks with the visiting US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, Indian Defence Minister A K Antony showed a lack of enthusiasm for signing the LSA that entitled US fighter jets and ships to seek logistical support and refueling facilities in India. The agreement was proposed by the US over two years ago.

Both sides, however, decided to conclude the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and the End-Use Verification Agreement for US-sold defence equipment. They also agreed to increase joint combat exercises, and increase trade in military hardware.

Competition: American companies are competing with the Russians and others to clinch military agreements worth $30 billion that India is expected to spend over the coming five years in procuring military equipment. They are particularly interested to supply 126 multi-role fighter aircraft worth 10 to 12 billion dollars to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Clock ticking: Talking to newsmen, Gates who led a 50-member delegation said “the clock is ticking” for India to conclude the nuclear deal. He hoped the Indian government would be able to end the domestic deadlock on the issue in time, adding the nuclear agreement had ‘positive global consequences’ besides serving the interests of both the countries. “The clock is ticking in terms of how much time is available to get all the different aspects of an agreement implemented,” Gates said.

He did not specify any time period during which India needed to take steps such as strengthening IAEA safeguards and seeking a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, though Washington had been insisting that these be concluded by July. Without directly mentioning the stiff opposition by Left parties to operationalisation of the nuclear deal, Gates said the US respects India’s internal politics and hopes that the government would resolve the issue in time. He, however, was quick to add that failure of the nuclear deal would have little impact on the deepening military ties.

Significantly, the US defence secretary also met senior BJP leader L K Advani, whose party is also opposing the deal. He apparently sought to list his support for the deal.

Gates said that in his meetings with Indian leaders he expressed appreciation for India’s decision last month to buy six US-made C-130J aircraft, a deal worth more than a billion dollars to aeronautics giant Lockheed-Martin. “There are some other deals in the works,” he said. “I indicated that we are interested, and obviously believe we are very competitive, in the selection of the new multi-role combat fighter.” He asked for a level playing field for American companies. “We ask no special treatment, we simply are pleased to have a place at the table, and we believe that in a fair competition we have a very good case to make,” he said.

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

People in indian establishment donot want to annoy the Russians it seems.

* Indians will likely comment on this comment *

 

[Spring Onion]

People in indian establishment donot want to annoy the Russians it seems.

Howcome ??????