CPI-M says Hyde Act will lead the path of Indo-US nuke deal

The CPI-M, spearheading the Left opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal, today alleged that the safeguards agreement approved by the IAEA showed that the US Hyde Act would determine the path of the deal.     

"The provisions of the Hyde Act and not the assurances made by the Indian Prime Minister in Parliament are shaping the course of the Indo-US nuclear deal through the various stages," the party said.     

The CPI-M Politburo issued the statement a day after the IAEA unanimously approved the India-specific safeguards agreement, which was hailed as "historic" by the Congress.     

Other Left parties have already attacked the agreement, saying it does not recognise India's nuclear weapon status nor does it protect its interests on issues like uninterrupted fuel supply assurances.     

The Left parties, which withdrew support to the Government on the issue last month, have been stridently critical of the Hyde Act which they allege would affect India's sovereignty and strategic autonomy.