US envoy takes nuclear-deal fears to Advani’s court

NEW DELHI: The US���s growing concerns about the future of the Indo-US civilian nuclear cooperation was apparent as US Charge d���Affairs Peter Burleigh met BJP���s prime ministerial candidate L K Advani on Wednesday and discussed the party���s position on the deal.

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said BJP���s stand on the nuclear deal was conveyed to the envoy. ���The US envoy keeps meeting prominent Indian leaders to discuss our views and exchange notes on issues like the nuclear deal, internal security and terrorism,��� Mr Naidu said and added that the developments in Pakistan had also come up for discussion. BJP���s position on the deal is that they will not scrap the deal, but could take a relook at some of the provisions.

The meeting was described as part of ���routine consultations��� by US embassy spokesperson even as the timing of the envoy���s meeting with Mr Advani and an earlier meeting with TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu invited some criticism. ���The US categorically denies any attempts to interfere in India���s democratic poll process,��� said US embassy spokesperson. The Left parties were dismissive of the meeting with Prakash Karat saying that he had been in touch with Mr Naidu and there was nothing to the meeting.

The US envoy, who incidentally speaks fluent Hindi and Bengali, had met Mr Naidu and Praja Rajyam party president Chiranjeevi in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The meeting with Mr Naidu, who is with the third front that includes the Left parties, was also said to be part of ���routine consultations��� by the US embassy.

The US has a strategic and commercial interest in India and has been keeping track of the elections in India. The future composition of the next government would definitely have a bearing on India���s foreign policy. And after the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal experience, the US in particular would be uneasy with the idea of the Left parties being part of a future government formulation. The Left has retained its opposition to the Indo-US civilian deal and has said that it will rework the deal if it comes to power.

On the other hand, China has been courting the Left parties. CPM leader A B Bardhan also revealed on Wednesday that Chinese ambassador Zhang Yan had come to meet him a few days ago. In fact, countries around the world are watching the Indian elections with great interest. In tune with India���s growing stature, there is great interest and concern about the future government and future policies.