'PM provoked Left by calling Atal Bhishm'

THE DEAL MAKER: The PM is the Government as far as the nuclear deal is concerned, says Bardhan.

          

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Rajdeep Sardesai

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Keywords: UPA, Left

A B Bardhan: If it says that it is not going to accept the Hyde Act, that it is not going to accept the 1-2-3 agreement…

Karan Thapar: But let us go to the NSG.

A B Bardhan: Let us hear it. I will not answer your hypothetical question.

Karan Thapar: But you’re saying it clearly that there is room here for concession if they say this.

A B Bardhan: No, if they say that, what is our problem? If they say that we are not going ahead with the deal, we have no problem.

Karan Thapar: No, no, no, if they say let us go all the way to the NSG, at that point, you got the NSG clearance, you don’t have to sign with America, that’s what you’re prepared to consider, provided the Government says it – that’s the catch – provided the Government says it.

A B Bardhan: No, you’re forgetting that the Americans are insisting there will be a waiver only if you agree with the deal. That also has been made clear. And they have said that without the US.

Karan Thapar: The NSG clearance comes before India signs on the dotted line of the 1-2-3. Therefore I repeat, let it go all the way to the NSG, then throw the spanner in the works.

A B Bardhan: India has to sign nothing on the dotted line. After you see their NSG…

Karan Thapar: Don’t unravel what you said! You open the window, suddenly you realise what you’ve done, and then you’re trying to close the window.

A B Bardhan: I’m saying nothing. I’m saying that our problem is about the deal. Our problem is not about the safeguards.

Karan Thapar: And not about the NSG either.

A B Bardhan: And not about the NSG either, provided the NSG is not conditional, as it is today.

Karan Thapar: It is not, at the moment. NSG will be giving India, we hope, an unconditional waiver.

A B Bardhan: You are forgetting that no unconditional waiver will come unless the Americans support it.

Karan Thapar: Absolutely. And so you don’t have to reveal to America what you intend to do at the final stage at this stage.

A B Bardhan: Americans have made it clear, because it is they who will get the NSG waiver for us, not us, we are not in the NSG.

Karan Thapar: Wait a moment. Go all the way to the NSG clearance and then at that stage, not sign with America. At least, let us go that far! Don’t throw the spanner before you need to.

A B Bardhan: You are saying which as I said is ab initio absurd. After all, they will go to the NSG only on the basis of the deal.

Karan Thapar: Yes, but there is no reason why the Americans have to know the ultimate thinking of the Government this much in advance. Get the NSG window opened with the American team. Once you’re through to the NSG, you don’t have to go all the way with Congress in America.