The Hindu Business Line : History will not forgive us if we don't have N-deal: Kakodkar

BANGALORE: Making a strong pitch again for operationalising the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Atomic Energy Commission Chief Mr Anil Kakodkar said on Saturday that “history will not forgive us” if it is not clinched.

Mr Kakodkar's strong statement came on a day when Left parties said they would vote against the UPA government in Parliament in case of a confidence motion if it took the next step to operationalise the deal.

“Here is a chance ... without compromising on our principles, we can bridge energy security for the future,” Mr Kakodkar said in a public lecture on “Evolving Indian nuclear programme: Rationale and perspectives”, organised by the Indian Academy of Scien ces. Without mentioning the deal but giving enough indications that he exactly meant that, he said: “If we don't do now, history will not forgive us”.

He termed it (the deal) one of the most promising and viable way of bridging energy security for the future. Later, responding to reporters` queries on time-line for approaching the IAEA for a safeguards agreement and if the deal can be wrapped up year-e nd, Mr Kakodkar said: “Sooner the better. But everything is not in my hands, know? But things are not in my hands”.

Earlier, he declined to comment on the raging political debate over the nuclear deal when an audience member posed a question. “That's part of politics; I don't get into politics”. - PTI

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