Government in talks with IAEA; Left sticks to stand on nuclear pact

By </I></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE | 06 Oct 2007

Mumbai: The government going ahead with operationalising the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation deal, including any negotiations with the IAEA for reaching a safeguards agreement even as the Left allies of the ruling UPA said they strongly opposed the deal.

UPA-Left committee held its third meeting today, when it was conveyed to the supporting parties that informal consultations were on with the IAEA over the safeguards agreement.

The next meeting will be held on 9 October instead of 14 October as scheduled earlier in view of Eid.

In Mumbai, the Atomic Energy Department clarified that it is not holding any formal negotiations with the IAEA for drafting a safeguards agreement.