Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tenure will forever be remembered for his resolute, uncompromising commitment to secure the Indo-US nuclear deal, to the extent of staking his chair for it in 2008.
The fact that Manmohan Singh led the negotiations for a sensitive nuclear deal under a coalition government with Left Front's resistance and the subsequent withdrawal of support speaks volumes of his foresight and resolve. The deal became a turning point of sorts for the Indo-US relations, overcoming the 'hesitation of history' as he famously said in July 2005, during his address to the US Congress. This phrase has since become a defining statement in modern India-US diplomatic relations.
It was a time when India's nuclear power facilities faced shortages of uranium, as imports were restricted, and environment groups would often protest against mining activities in India. When a surge in crude oil prices forcing government to effect a fuel price hike in 2008, Manmohan Singh chose to speak in the media about the need for alternate sources of energy. "We cannot remain captive to uncertain markets and unsure sources of supply. We have to develop renewable sources of energy, including nuclear energy," PM had said. This was at a time when the Left Front, supporting the UPA government from outside, was demanding a rollback of fuel price hike and at the same time was strongly opposing the nuclear deal. Their argument was that the nuclear deal with US will compromise India's independent foreign policy.
Read More: Manmohan Singh left strong imprint on India's economic policy: PM Narendra Modi
Despite the opposition from within the government, Prime Minister Singh continued to make a strong case for the Indo-US nuclear deal. On one instance, while speaking to Indian Foreign Service probationers in June 2008, he said, "It is very important for us to move forward and end this nuclear apartheid that the world has sought imposed on India."
Manmohan Singh was clear that he saw little point in continuing in the government if coalition politics was given primacy over the survival of the nuclear deal. He saw assurances of a favourable India-specific safeguards agreement from IAEA, and matched the then US President George W Bush's personal commitment to the deal.
Read More: Former PM Manmohan Singh passes away: Timeline of his five-decade old career
In July 2008, the Left Front did withdraw their support to the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), after India formally approached the IAEA for the Indo-US nuclear deal. A vote of confidence was called, which was eventually won by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government. During the vote, Prime Minister Singh delivered a strong speech before the House.
"I am convinced that despite their opportunistic opposition to the nuclear agreement, history will compliment the UPA Government for having taken another giant step forward to lead India to become a major power centre of the evolving global economy..." he said during his reply to the trust motion.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
