11-12-2005, 02:28 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.asianage.com/main.asp?layout=2&cat1=1&cat2=22&newsid=191915&RF=DefaultMain
<b>US think tank glad Natwar out </b>- By Ramesh Ramachandran
New Delhi, Nov. 11: An American think tank has said that Mr Natwar Singhâs resignation as external affairs minister is in line with Prime Minister Manmohan Singhâs attempt to shift New Delhi towards an alignment with Washington.
Observing that it <b>"signals Indiaâs intent to make relations with the United States as warm as naan bread straight out of a tandoori oven,"</b> a Stratfor report said that besides the allegations over his involvement in the United Nations oil-for-food programme, another major sticking point that cost him his job is the "Islamic Republic of Iran". The report noted that Mr Natwar Singh was at odds with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Iranian nuclear debate. "[Mr Natwar Singh] promoted an agenda of resistance to US pressure to vote against Iran at a vote of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."
It stated that the timing of Mr Natwar Singhâs dismissal and a scheduled November meeting of the IAEA on Iranâs nuclear activities "conspicuously parallel US interests".
While observing that the Manmohan Singh government may not wish to rock the boat with Washington at this juncture, especially with the civilian nuclear deal sitting before the US Congress, the Stratfor report said it will, however, "take great care to ensure that any IAEA statements adopt a softened stance on Iran".
On the opposition by the Left parties, the report stated dismissively that the Congress has enough "domestic economic leverage to appease West Bengalâs Left-wing government". It observed that the state wanted to provide employment opportunities to boost its services sector by opening up to more US call centres.<b> "While the Left-wing parties will employ anti-US rhetoric to maintain legitimacy among their constituency, the Congress can use economic incentives as a bargaining chip with the CPI and CPI(M) in advance of the West Bengal elections in May," </b>it added.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think they are wrong here.
<b>US think tank glad Natwar out </b>- By Ramesh Ramachandran
New Delhi, Nov. 11: An American think tank has said that Mr Natwar Singhâs resignation as external affairs minister is in line with Prime Minister Manmohan Singhâs attempt to shift New Delhi towards an alignment with Washington.
Observing that it <b>"signals Indiaâs intent to make relations with the United States as warm as naan bread straight out of a tandoori oven,"</b> a Stratfor report said that besides the allegations over his involvement in the United Nations oil-for-food programme, another major sticking point that cost him his job is the "Islamic Republic of Iran". The report noted that Mr Natwar Singh was at odds with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Iranian nuclear debate. "[Mr Natwar Singh] promoted an agenda of resistance to US pressure to vote against Iran at a vote of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."
It stated that the timing of Mr Natwar Singhâs dismissal and a scheduled November meeting of the IAEA on Iranâs nuclear activities "conspicuously parallel US interests".
While observing that the Manmohan Singh government may not wish to rock the boat with Washington at this juncture, especially with the civilian nuclear deal sitting before the US Congress, the Stratfor report said it will, however, "take great care to ensure that any IAEA statements adopt a softened stance on Iran".
On the opposition by the Left parties, the report stated dismissively that the Congress has enough "domestic economic leverage to appease West Bengalâs Left-wing government". It observed that the state wanted to provide employment opportunities to boost its services sector by opening up to more US call centres.<b> "While the Left-wing parties will employ anti-US rhetoric to maintain legitimacy among their constituency, the Congress can use economic incentives as a bargaining chip with the CPI and CPI(M) in advance of the West Bengal elections in May," </b>it added.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think they are wrong here.