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N-deal with US: It’s now or never

HK. DUA’s front-page editorial, “India must not go back on nuclear deal” (June 20) gives a pertinent account of India’s potential to acquire some degree of parity in the world’s nuclear power club with uranium and high technology on terms honourable for it.

The Left’s reservations on the deal are misplaced. The Prime Minister has been assuring them that the deal is the only best possible alternative to ensure a credible long-term nuclear warfare parity against China that is bent on raking up the boundary question. Do the Left parties want a repeat of 1962 on the military front? Surely, they are overlooking the Chinese frequent intrusions in Arunachal Pradesh and long-term designs.

The deal is absolutely essential for India for meeting its energy needs. We have to progress adequately and fast to improve the quality of life of our people. It’s now or never.

UMED SINGH GULIA, Supreme Court Advocate, Gohana

II

Dr Manmohan Singh should show his resolve and go ahead with the operationlisation of the deal irrespective of the fate of his government. The fierce antagonism between the BJP and the Left has the chemistry to save the government from falling. Either of these outfits is bent upon seeing that the other does not get a chance to come to power or share it with other parties.

Moreover, the present US administration has fully assured the smooth passage of the deal during its dispensation. Let’s not forget that the window of opportunity might be shut with the change of guard in White House on January 20, 2009. All other parties who matter should think of the national interest and support the deal.

Dr I. S. KALRA, Ludhiana

III

The Communists are opposing the proposed nuclear treaty not because they think it is against our national interest but because of their pathological allergy towards the US. Over the years, they have come to believe that communism consists in only the rabid criticism of the US and blind allegiance to the USSR. Thus, they have lost on the theories propounded by Marx and Engeles and they have come to be looked down as Moscow’s toadies. Their role in the pre-Partition days can well be compared to that of Quisling.

The UPA government must redeem its credibility by signing the treaty without further delay.

CHAMAN LAL KORPAL, Amritsar

IV

Views of nuclear scientists, experts and strategists have appeared in these columns about the usefulness of the nuclear deal with America. But the Left is yet to be convinced about the deal. Though China is cosying up with America, the Left’s opposition to America is surprising. The opposition of the NDA, which itself had initiated the dialogue with the US, is beyond comprehension. This can best be explained as politics of opportunism.

If we backtrack on the deal, we will lose our status and dignity in the comity of nations. If the Centre dithers on the deal any more, the NDA would win the next general election.

H.S. BADHAN, Hoshiarpur

V

Admittedly, Washington looks upon India as a global partner and we reciprocate this feeling by being its “natural ally”, so said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It, certainly, raises our stature if we stand by the commitment of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The UPA government should sacrifice its lust for power at the altar of overall national interest. The Left is not right in this context.

SHANTI SWAROOP SHARMA, Dharamshala

VI

It will be a sad day for the country if the UPA government goes back on the deal due to continued threats from the Left. The Left is pro-China, a country which betrayed India’s fraternal vows and captured 12000 sq miles of Indian territory in the Aksai chin region.

Besides, China is claiming Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh as its territories. It is an undependable and unpredictable country. It is increasing its defence where as the Indian government and Opposition parties are working overtime in criticising each other.

D.R. SHARDA, Chandigarh