UNI

New Delhi, Jun 30: Lambasting the UPA Government for its unilateral approach on the Indo-US Nuclear Deal and not taking the Opposition in confidence, the BJP today asserted that such a deal which would mortgage the nuclear programme to US "is unacceptable."

"The UPA government has completely repudiated the principle of evolving a national consensus on the issues related to India's nuclear programme to be backed by a strong national will." "The UPA Government cannot be allowed to destroy the hard work of Indian scientists and others which had earned India a place of pride in international community. Any deal which permits outside interference in the work of our nuclear scientists is unacceptable," former union science and technology minister Murli Manohar Joshi told sources.

He cautioned the country and said the Bill before the US Congress had introduced certain conditions which should not be accepted by the government as it would force India to sign CTBT, Fissile Material Control Treaty and NPT.

The prime minister, Dr Joshi said, must reject conditions being imposed through the Bill and India must continue with its credible nuclear deterrent and R & D programme in Nuclear field.

Besides, the Government should also re-examine in the national interest the clauses on nuclear energy.

The senior BJP leader maintained that the BJP, ever since the July 18, 2005 joint statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George Bush, had been expressing its serious concerns regarding the contents of the nuclear deal and the manner in which the deal was being finalised.

As the events have unfolded the BJP's apprehensions, regarding the deal, were coming true as it would put "onerous restrictions on the country's nuclear options in both military and civil sectors and make India perpetually dependent on USA for all initiatives in application of nuclear energy."