In the backdrop of a fresh controversy triggered by US President George Bush’s contention on fuel supplies, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sought to allay the concerns related to the Indo-US nuclear deal, asserting that the 123 agreement was binding on all parties.
Singh told a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) here that there was no cause for concern on any aspect of the Indo-US nuclear deal, said a party leader who attended the day-long deliberations.
The prime minister said an international agreement was binding on all parties concerned.
This assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of Bush’s memorandum to the US Congress in which he said the 123 agreement records certain political commitments concerning reliable nuclear fuel supply assurances but does not transform them into legally binding commitments.
The observation by Bush on Thursday kicked a controversy here with the Left parties and the BJP accusing the UPA government of misleading the country.
India is apparently unhappy over Bush’s observation and the Ministry of External Affairs yesterday issued a statement asserting that the 123 agreement, once operational, would be a “legal document” in accordance with “well-recognised principles” of international law and the Law of Treaties.
The MEA asserted that India’s civil nuclear cooperation with the US would be “guided” only by the 123 agreement, which clearly spells out the respective rights and obligations of the two countries.