MEA replies to RTI query on nuke deal

[sidmis]

The Indo-US civilian nuclear deal will be implemented in accordance with the country's national laws and the agreement will not affect strategic nuclear programme, the independence to make decisions regarding foreign policy, indigenous nuclear research and development and also the interests of the country.

This information was revealed by the Ministry of External Affairs while disposing of an application filed under the Right to Information Act by an RTI activist, Shafi Ahmed, a resident of Gulbarga.

Ahmed filed an application seeking details about the controversial and much talked about Indo-US nuclear deal as there were apprehensions regarding the sovereignty of the country.
He first shot off the application to the Prime Minister's Office, which in turn was forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs. The information furnished by the MEA runs into three pages and was parted with after Amhed had paid Rs 6 for the information .

The MEA in its reply said that the foreign policy of the country will not be compromised and the nuke deal will not affect the country's policy towards other nations.
"India is a sovereign country and will maintain cordial ties with other nations," the MEA also stated in its reply.

The 123 agreement seeks to secure a clean source of energy with an aim to improve the living standards of people. Clean source of energy is being secured through this deal to sustain the economy of the country.
The MEA also justifies the signing of the deal while stating that it was needed to cater to the increasing requirement of energy in the country. The deal will also help the country in acquiring new technology and raw material to develop civil nuclear programmes in the future, the MEA also states.

The Ministry of External Affairs, however, refused to answer a question that sought to know whether the deal had a provision to allow the Americans to use an Indian air base in the wartime facility to fuel its warplanes.

Vicky Nanjappa
December 29, 2007 13:54 IST
MEA replies to RTI query on nuke deal