Lok Sabha Debates
Reported Statement Made By Assistant Secretary Of U.S. On Indo-Us Nuclear Deal ... on 15 March, 2010
> Title: Reported statement made by Assistant Secretary of U.S. on Indo-US nuclear deal and re-processing technology.
SHRI M.B. RAJESH (PALAKKAD): I would like to draw the attention of this august House to a grave matter of national importance. A few days back the US Assistant Secretary Mr. Robert Blake has made a statement on the Indo-US Nuclear Deal and about providing reprocessing technology to India. He has linked the issue of providing the reprocessing technology to India with the passage of the Nuclear Liability Bill. If what he has said is true, it means that the Prime Minister and the Government of India has concealed the truths and the facts regarding the Nuclear Deal and about providing reprocessing technology to India. Why I am saying this because the Prime Minister, during the course of debate on the 123 Agreement, had repeatedly assured us that we have already received upfront consent for reprocessing in the 123 Agreement itself.
The Left had always pointed out that the 123 Agreement does not contain an upfront consent for reprocessing technology. Now, with the statement of Mr. Robert Blake, a top US official, it is clear that the Left’s position has been vindicated and that the US is shifting goal posts and imposing more conditions on our country.
He has also stated that the United States is pleased with the decision of the Government of India because they are going to pass the Nuclear Liability Bill in this Session itself. So, it has become clear that this attempt to pass the Nuclear Liability Bill is an attempt to please the United States.
So, it is shocking that the Prime Minister and the Government of India has misled the entire nation by concealing the truths and the facts regarding the Indo-US Nuclear Deal.
So, in these circumstances I demand that the Government should come out with a statement clarifying whether what Mr. Robert Blake has said is true or not.
The people of the country has a right to know what he has said is true or not and the people are interested to know the stand and the position of the Government of India.