Dear MPs, let's nuke the deal: CPM writes

New Delhi: The CPI-M on Friday sent a letter to all MPs and urged them to consider the implications of the Indo-US nuclear deal

Stepping up its opposition to the deal, the party said: “Is the nuclear cooperation agreement going to bind India with the United States in a relationship which goes contrary to our cherished goals of national sovereignty and independent foreign policy and an economic development based on the priorities of our people."

"The objections and the apprehensions raised by the Left parties and other parties, organisations and concerned scientists and citizens need to be examined before proceeding further," the central committee of the party said in the four-page “open letter”.

It also claimed that several provisions of the US law on the agreement were "contrary" to the assurances given by PM Manmohan Singh.

Under the terms set out by the Hyde Act, it was clear that the Indo-US nuclear cooperation would not cover the "entire nuclear fuel cycle". It denies cooperation or access in any form whatsoever to fuel enrichment, reprocessing and water production technologies, the party said.

Warning that the US does not see the agreement as a stand-alone one, the party said it was part of "American design to try in India a wide-ranging strategic alliance which will adversely affect the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and our strategic autonomy".

Elaborating on the implications of the Hyde Act, the party contended that under the terms set out by the Act, "it is clear that the Indo-US nuclear cooperation would not cover

the entire nuclear fuel cycle."

"It denies cooperation or access in any form whatsoever to fuel enrichment, reprocessing and heavy water production

technologies," the letter said.

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Further, the letter claimed that the denial extends to transfer of dual use technology and covers items which could be used in fuel enrichment, reprocessing or heavy water production facilities.

It quoted Section 102 (13) of the Hyde Act which reads "The US should not seek to facilitate or encourage the

continuation of nuclear exports to India by any other party if such exports are terminated under US law."

The letter contended that that Act concerns itself with areas outside nuclear cooperation and contains "objectionable" clauses to get India to accept the strategic goals of the US.

It argued that the Act seeks India's participation and formal declaration of support for the US' "controversial" Proliferation Security Initiative and New Delhi's confirmation to various bilateral/multilateral agreements to which India is not currently a signatory.