Atal asks PM to satisfy Parliament on N-deal

Former prime minister asks Manmohan Singh to 'satisfy' Parliament before signing Indo-US civilian nuclear pact.

Former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on Monday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to 'satisfy' Parliament that all his assurances had been fulfilled before inking the 123 Agreement to give effect to the Indo-US civilian nuclear pact.

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Vajpayee's statement came just three days ahead of the next round of talks between India and the US on the 123 Agreement. Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns are to give final touches before a meeting between Singh and President George W Bush in Germany on the sidelines of the G-8 Summit.

Vajpayee said the prime minister needed to satisfy Parliament as he had himself given certain 'specific assurances' to it and 'some controversy' had been created by some provisions of the legislation (Henry Hyde Act) passed by the US Congress.

"According to media reports, the Indo-US nuclear deal is almost ready for approval of the governments of the two countries," Vajpayee said, adding that a senior US official has "claimed" that the deal is 90 per cent ready, alluding to Burns' remark last week in Washington.