Click to play videoNew Delhi: The UPA has launched a media blitz to explain why the Indo-US nuclear deal will be good for the country. After issuing advertisements in all major national and regional dailies, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday met editors and prominent journalists.
Manmohan Singh said he is reasonably confident that the deal will go through and end India's nuclear isolation.
This is the first time that the Prime Minister has spoken out after the Left parties withdrew support to the Government. He said that the IAEA safeguards agreement will enable India to cooperate in civil nuclear energy with all 45 member countries of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Singh also said that the safeguards agreement will not affect India's strategic programme in any way.
He added India will pursue an independent foreign policy and continue relations with Iran. According to him, the biggest challenge right now is to curb inflation and keep the growth momentum going.
Speaking to editors at his residence, the PM expressed confidence that the people of India will endorse the initiatives taken by the UPA Government.
Meanwhile, the UPA is trying to muster up the numbers for next week's trust vote. They are looking at smaller, regional parties and according to sources the National Conference may go with the Congress. Senior leaders from the two parties will be meeting on Tuesday.
NC chief Omar Abdullah met both External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee as well as CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat last week.
A decision is also awaited from the Akali Dal. The ruling Akalis in Punjab have so far maintained they will vote with their alliance partner, the BJP, during the confidence motion. But that may change because a section of Akalis feel it would be improper to unseat a Prime Minister who has brought pride to the Sikh community worldwide.
The two parties together will get the UPA 10 Lok Sabha seats.
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