Saying that “primacy was given to the deal and Indo-American relations quite forgetting that there are other relations also,” Mishra singled out India’s vote against Iran at the IAEA and the Operation Malabar quadrilateral exercise as steps that “should not have been done keeping in mind our own interest.”

He said that China had taken “umbrage” to the exercise saying this was an “Asian version of NATO.” And if the UPA had no intentions of joining any such military alliance, “they should not send signals like this.”

Asked how would he save the deal if he were the NSA for the UPA government, Mishra said: “The atmosphere today between the Government and the Opposition is not cordial at all. There have been public spats which are not conducive for discussions. The Government should try to convince them of their (the deal’s) desirability...If the Government feels there is still time then they must clear the atmosphere to have a dialogue with the Opposition.”

When asked whether it was easier to convince the BJP than the Left, he said: “I cannot say that but perhaps it is easier because they are also saying we want good relations with the US.”

Mishra admitted that the Government did “talk to me” on the deal adding that “on each occasion, I said you must go to the politicians because talks between politicians are like talks between two equals.”

‘Twice, 90% chance of Indo-Pak war’

Asked to mention “two moments you thought (war) would definitely happen,” Mishra said:

... contd.