Pawar backs N-deal

SHILLONG: NCP chief and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Friday strongly came in support of the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying the 123 agreement posed no threat to India’s security.

“There has been no compromise with India’s basic policies and security matters. The deal is still in the process of negotiation,” Pawar told partymen at the national executive committee meeting here.

The draft, he said, speaks that the deal has no negative prospects. “The deal would also lift sanctions against India.” Setting aside apprehensions raised by the Left that the deal would enable the US to interfere in India’s domestic matters and foreign policy, Pawar said, “Difference in an alliance is nothing abnormal. But we can always work together and address each other’s concerns.”The minister, however, disapproved the policy adopted by the US in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The US has become a symbol of hatred among a sizeable section of the global community. Its policies in the Middle East does not fit into the views of India,” he said.

NCP leader and civil aviation minister Praful Patel sounded optimistic about his party forming government in Meghalaya in the next Assembly polls. When asked whether the party would ally with the Congress if either of them fails to get a mandate in the state, Patel said, “I will not discuss hypothetical matters. We are an independent party and we do what is best for the people and the country.”

Nationalist Congress Party, which is the main Opposition in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, is likely to contest in at least 50 seats.