“The nuclear deal is a good deal for a good country by a good prime minister heading a good government. The deal is in national interest and nobody can deter us from implementing it. We will of course engage all our partners in the UPA in the process, but if they do not come we will cross the bridge when the time comes,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

He was speaking at an interactive session on Indo-US Nuclear Deal at a five-star hotel organised by an NGO, Prabha Devi Foundation.

“Those who see red in the 123 agreement do not understand US law and the US Constitution. In the US all international treaties are supreme and the Hyde Act is not binding on us. Both the US President and the US Ambassador have made this clear. Still, so much of furore is being raised. There should not be any intellectual blindness for something that is good for the country. Besides, in West Bengal, too, there has been so much of US investment,” said the Congress spokesperson.

Emphasising the need for nuclear energy, he said the deal would do away with India’s nuclear isolation.

“With the signing of NPT or CTBT, India has become a member of the elite nuclear club. We have maintained transparency throughout. No treaty was ever placed in Parliament for discussion, but this was tabled,” said Singhvi.

Drawing parallels with the nuke deal that China signed with the US, he said India’s was better. “India will be able to bring uranium from the US while China cannot do so. China has to allow Australian inspectors, but India does not have to accept US inspectors; it is open only to IAEA inspectors. USA has given us the consent for re-processing fuel, but China has not got any such consent. Despite all odds, China went ahead with the deal.”