Brajesh backs nuke deal

Sun, Apr 27 12:06 PM

New Delhi, Apr 27 (PTI) Contradicting BJP's views on the nuclear deal with the US, former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra has said India should go ahead with the agreement, failing which the country will have a "severe loss of face" and suffer a setback to its atomic programme. Mishra, who served in the previous BJP-led government, said the deal should be concluded during the tenure of Bush administration as change of government in the US would make things difficult.

Noting that he had talks with Government representatives and scientists, Mishra said he is convinced that the deal will not affect India's strategic programme. "This deal does not stop us from continuing our strategic programme.

There is no doubt about it that there is no bar on India undertaking nuclear tests," he told Karan Thapar's 'Devil's Advocate' programme. Mishra's comments fly in the face of BJP's contention that the deal will impact upon India's strategic autonomy, the country's nuclear military programme and its independent foreign policy.

Though there is no ban on future atomic tests, Mishra agreed that "exercising that option means a lot of hardships - economic and otherwise -- because sanctions will inevitably follow." "We are not barred from undertaking tests if we are ready to pay the cost of sanctions," he said and noted that the deal has to be signed "now" as it will be difficult after change of government in the US. PTI.

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