It's time for peace and trust

A U.S.-Indo civilian nuclear deal is coming under attack not only from Indian opposition groups but also from the ruling coalition's Left party allies. Govt. in a jam, Reds play hard, said the headline on Friday's front page of The Times of India. Parliamentary proceedings were disrupted Thursday when the deal's opponents demanded a second look at it, despite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's firm stand in support of it. There are growing concerns the Left allies may pull out of the alliance, forcing Singh's Congress Party to lose its parliamentary majority.

Opposition to the deal has been building in recent days and led to a shouting match in the lower house of Parliament after some reports quoted a U.S. State Department spokesman saying Washington could terminate the deal if India conducted another nuclear test. The deal, concluded recently after intense negotiations and long delays, will allow the United States to provide nuclear technology and fuel to India.

In India, the criticism stems from concerns it would interfere with India's foreign policy, despite Singh's repeated statements the deal will not deny India's right to carry out future nuclear tests. There is concern in the United States the deal would allow India to reprocess spent nuclear fuel.

For god sake let us all understand this. For India, the benefits are arguably greater. Its booming but eergy-starved economy would gain access to much-needed nuclear fuel and technologies that is has been long denied by its refusal to sign nonproliferation accords. Hey!! for US and the lawmakers of India.. it is a call for "peace and trust" that leads India to another step in the journey to regain India's due place in the global council.