Indian govt to approach IAEA on nuke deal

By Smita Nair, Network18

The government seemed to be talking tough to the Left yesterday with sources saying that they are determined to take the Indo-US nuclear deal to the next step at the IAEA despite the Left's objections. But many in Washington say the tough stand may be little too late.

In putting off the Left UPA nuclear deal meeting on Wednesday, it seemed to be telling its Left allies 'enough is enough'. Negotiations between them have gone nowhere despite months of talks. The Left has been unwilling to budge from its position against the deal and now sources say that the Prime Minister is unwilling to back down. The government has decided to go ahead with the India specific safeguards agreements at the IAEA in Vienna. But the government's tough stand may just prove to be in vain, many in Washington believe that New Delhi has wasted too much time already.

Strobe Talbott, former US Deputy Secretary of State said, "I think time is running out or it has already."  With the Left parties still standing by their position, it's time for the endgame, the end of the Indo-US nuclear deal for the foreseeable future, or the end of the UPA government as allies say they have been sounded out on early elections. It could all come to a head on June 25, the date of the next UPA-Left meeting.