Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday came out in support of the Indo-US nuclear deal saying it would have no impact on India's atomic programme, but enable the country to acquire fuel and technology and help in getting much-needed electricity for faster growth.
A day after Left parties gave clearance to the government to approach the International Atomic Energy Agency for working out India-specific safeguards agreement, she told the All India Congress Committee meeting that there were differences with the outside allies but efforts were on to evolve a consensus through discussions.
Endorsing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurance to the country that the agreement would not in any way affect the strategic nuclear programme, Sonia said from the days of Jawaharlal Nehru, their policy was one of self-reliance.
"But international cooperation on our own terms is an inalienable part of this policy of self-reliance," she said, amidst applause from the gathering of Congress delegates from all over the country.
The deal, she said, was aimed at getting the much-needed power for industry, agriculture, cities and rural areas through the help of several friendly countries.
At the same time, Gandhi said that the Congress was committed to a comprehensive universal nuclear disarmament, an action plan of which was presented by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to the United Nations in 1988.
The plan is now getting new supporters and 'our government is taking it forward,' the UPA chairperson said.
The prime minister, Union ministers, chief ministers, Congress Working Committee members, state presidents and AICC office-bearers were among those present at the day-long meeting, the first after Hyderabad Congress plenary in January last year.
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