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US energy pact does not prevent new Indian nuclear tests: PM
New Delhi (AFP) Nov 28, 2007 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh denied a claim by India's opposition leader Wednesday that a nuclear deal with the United States would block the country from holding future atomic weapons tests. The Communists, who typically lend key support to Singh's Congress party-led government, and the Hindu nationalists have strongly opposed the pact, aimed at bringing India into the loop of global atomic commerce after three decades. "Our objection to this deal is principally because it prohibits India from conducting another test," Lal Krishna Advani, of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said during a parliamentary debate on the accord. Singh rejected the opposition leader's comments, repeating his earlier assertions that the deal would not hinder tests. "If a necessity for carrying out a nuclear test arises in future, there is nothing in the agreement which prevents us from carrying out tests," he said. The pact would allow nuclear-armed India to buy civilian nuclear technology to help fuel its fast-growing economy despite having tested atomic weapons and not being a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The parliamentary debate, scheduled to continue Thursday, will not lead to a vote on the deal but was promised by the government to allow MPs to air their views. The agreement, seen as a centrepiece of new closer ties between Washington and New Delhi, makes no reference to nuclear testing by India. But opponents say if India conducts tests, the deal would be suspended, leaving the country in the lurch. India has had a moratorium on nuclear testing since May 1998, when it conducted five weapons tests. New Delhi has been denied access to civilian nuclear technology since 1974 when it first tested a nuclear weapon. The parliament debate comes after the Communists, who had earlier threatened to topple Singh's government if it implemented the pact, gave the go-ahead to negotiate a deal with the UN's atomic energy watchdog. The Communists had also objected to the US pact because they believed it would harm India's sovereignty by drawing New Delhi too close to the United States. The Left has, however, warned the government to consult it before implementing the deal. Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Outside View: Russia's nuclear plans
Moscow (UPI) Nov 23, 2007 The U.S. government's fiscal year begins on Oct. 1 of the previous calendar year, and the senators have already compiled a $459.3 billion draft defense budget for 2008 and sent it to the president for approval. |
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