Chidambaram supports Nuclear Deal, says Hyde Act won't bind India

Finance Minister P Chidambaram spoke vociferously in support of the nuclear deal during the trust vote. He tried to assure the house that Hyde Act is a domestic law in the US and it does not bind India. He made it clear that only the provisions of the 123 Agreement will come into picture on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

He lashed out at the BJP-led NDA for its opposition to the deal, saying it was the NDA regime, which started strategic alliance with the US on nuclear deal and UPA government is just carrying forward the process. Mr. Chidambaram said that it's an irony that NDA says it has no problem with India's strategic relations with the US, while Left parties are opposed to it. Yet, both groups are voting against the trust vote.

Mr. Chidambaram was critical of the Left in particular. He indirectly take a pot shot at the Left, saying some people in the country don't want India catching up with China. He also claimed that UPA government put the country on the path of growth and progress and initiated several populist schemes. During his speech, Chidambaram was more focused on India's economic growth and linked the nuclear deal to India's future.