Supporting the India-US nuclear deal for the second time in as many days, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasized on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 that it is in the interest of the country. He further clarified that there is no pressure on India from the United States to sign any ban test agreement for accessing civil nuclear energy from outside.

 

The Indian PM admitted that the nuclear deal is facing political hurdles, but at the same time also said that the proposed agreement will assist India in fulfilling its energy requirements and protect strategic interests. Speaking to Indian Foreign Service Probationers, Dr Manmohan Singh said, ‘At the same time, it (nuclear deal) opens up new opportunities for civilian cooperation, and without that, I think, the trade in dual technologies - sensitive advanced technologies - cannot become a reality.’

 

The refreshed vigor for pushing the Indo-US nuclear deal comes as a surprise as the interests in it are actually lessening. Not only has the Congress always lacked the determination to fight for the deal, but even the attention of the party is now drifting to domestic issues following so many electoral set backs. In US, on the other hand, where the tenure of George W Bush is about to conclude it no loner has the verve to take the deal past the critics.