N-deal important for growth of Indian economy: Buta Singh

LONDON: Describing the Indo-US nuclear deal as "very important" for the growth of the Indian economy, senior Congress leader Buta Singh has said it will clearly establish India as a growing power.

Buta Singh, the Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who staked the future of his government on the issue, will emerge as "one of greatest leaders" of India.

"The nuclear deal is very important for the growth of the economy of India and it will establish that India is not attached to any power bloc," Buta Singh, former Home Minister and Governor of Jarkhand, said at a meeting organised by the Indian Overseas Congress (London) here last night.

Noting that it would be an agreement between two equals, he said "this will clearly establish India as a growing power. And the deal has the approval of Parliament."

Buta Singh said Congress President Sonia Gandhi deserved all credit for reposing her trust in the leadership and capacity of Manmohan Singh.

Balwant Kapoor, President of the IOC, said the people of India would be grateful to Manmohan Singh for his vision and foresight in ensuring that the country's growth was not hampered because of power shortage.

Virendra Sharma, Labour MP; Councillor Jagdish Sharma and several other leading NRIs were present on the occasion.