home
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday announced that India will “very soon” approach the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a safeguards agreement for the controversial Indo-US nuclear deal where the “process will move very fast”.
The Prime Minister’s statement to journalists on board the aircraft carrying him to Sapporo in Japan for the G-8 Summit comes amid reports from Vienna, the IAEA headquarters, that the Board of the international nuclear watchdog will meet on July 28 to approve the safeguards agreement.
He said assurances have been given that once India goes to the IAEA, the process will move very fast.
A relaxed and confident Singh made it clear that Government was not afraid of facing Parliament if the Left parties withdraw support. Having a dig at Leader of Opposition L K Advani, Singh said the BJP leader “need not give any advice” on the issue.
Singh, who will be meeting US President George W Bush on the sidelines of the summit on July nine, said he would also be holding parleys with other world leaders and seek their support for the nuclear deal at the IAEA and the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.
