Act fast, time is running out: US on N-deal

The high-profile US senators warned India on Wednesday that time was running out for the Indo-US nuclear deal and India must take all necessary steps to finalise the deal by July-end to ensure that the US Congress approves it before the presidential election.

The US senators told the hurdles in concluding the nuke deal-negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for India-specific safeguards and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver-should be wrapped up by May failing which New Delhi will not get a “similar” deal from any new regime in Washington again.

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Otherwise it will be very difficult for Congress to ratify it. If Congress does not ratify it by July end, there is no prospect, said the senators to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during an interaction with him.

The PM on other way, assured them that his government was optimistic about the wrapping of the nuclear deal. The senators reminded him to act quickly. The failure to concluding the deal could lead to renegotiation of the deal in case of Democratic member becomes the next US president.

Democratic Senator Joseph Biden, chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry, former Democratic presidential candidate, and Chuck Hagel, a Republican senator, met Manmohan Singh discussed in detail of issues relating to the Indo-US relationship comprising the nuclear deal.

The US senators led by Joseph Biden said that the prime minister appeared to be optimistic. On asking about the chances of the deal finalizing this year, he replied, “PM told us it’s not over.”

Biden said that he was aware of the Left’s stand and the Indian government leaders familiar with the negotiations with the Left did not see any change in the Left’s stance. But it is the headache of the Indian government and it must do something to infringe the obstacles.

Stressing on the time that indeed running out of the deal, he said, “A number of senators were prepared to vote for the deal though they didn’t think it was as good as it should have been.” It is highly unlike that the next would go along with the deal in present form.

There are hundred percent probabilities that it will be renegotiated if Democrats comes in power. They would feel strongly about non-proliferation issues. So FMCT, CTBT and missile cut-off and alike will be on the table, he said.

They reiterated that the deal was India’s requirement. Other countries seeking deal on the same terms, as India was thwarted. Others came to us but walked away with the big ‘no’. But India is different; it’s not a proliferator.

Current situation

The India-specific safeguards agreement is still under negotiation, several weeks behind schedule. The Indian team is expected to be in Vienna for the next round of discussions in the coming week. However, there is no sign yet that the CPM, the chief hurdle, would yield on the deal.

Consequence, if deal fails

The visiting Senators said the failure to push the deal could ‘indirectly impact’ on the US’ engagement with India. “If the Indian government waits too long and sends it to us at the last moment, the deal will not go through. Our worry is that our failure to ratify the deal will then be seen in India as a rejection,” the Senators said.