In the intervening period, the government hopes to broaden support for the nuclear deal during the winter session of Parliament starting November 15. With the BJP not likely to undermine the strategic partnership with the US, the government is counting on a favourable “sense of the house” on Indo-US engagement.

In fact, Prime Minister Singh, responding to questions on the deal at a joint press briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said: “We have run into some problems domestically that we are trying to resolve, though as a government, we remain committed”the Chancellor and I had a very fruitful discussion on the issue of civil nuclear cooperation between India and the international community. I explained that the 123 deal is an honourable deal — good for India, good for the world and the global non-proliferation movement... we are a democracy and in a democracy, ultimately you have to take along those with you... there is need to evolve a broad-based consensus in our country and efforts are on in that direction.”

Merkel, on her part, said: “We have every interest in seeing India incorporated into the international nuclear regime to ensure maximum transparency. I hope IAEA rules will be abided by India and further progress would be made on the basis of those rules.”

Prior to the debate in Parliament, the government will have another chance on November 16 — at the UPA-Left meeting —to assuage Left concerns and obtain limited consent to proceed with the IAEA safeguards talks.

In Congress circles, hopes on the Left are fading and the party is gearing for polls anytime after March next.

According to highly placed sources, diplomatic efforts are also on to ensure that the delay over the deal can be made up and the original timeline, leading up to placing the agreement before the US Congress early next year, could still be maintained.

“No matter who signs the 123 Agreement — UPA or the next regime — we will have done our part to fulfil our international commitment by taking the next step towards operationalisation of the deal,” said a top Congress source.

While the government has this blueprint in place, it is still trying hard to persuade the Left. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee held a meeting with CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury last evening and is leant to have conveyed that the government was running out of time on approaching the IAEA. But the Left has not budged from its position as it views this as the only chance to prevent operationalisation of the deal.

The government is keen that the UPA-Left mechanism finalises its findings on November 16 which can then be “taken into account” before operationalisation of the nuclear deal.

According to Congress sources, the Left was “aware” of the government’s constraints on delaying matters any further as well as its intention to approach the IAEA after the debate in Parliament. The Left parties are, therefore, working on UPA constituents like the DMK, RJD and NCP to apply fresh pressure on the government not to go ahead with the deal.

No n-deal means 6,000 MW shortfall: Kakodkar

MUMBAI: Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Tuesday that if the nuclear deal does not go through, India will have to slash at least 6,000 MW from its projected 20,000 MW target for 2020 in the absence of international civilian nuclear cooperation. Meanwhile, speaking in New Delhi, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned that delays could affect the deal’s prospects. Emphasising the need to do the deal before George Bush’s presidency term ends, Kissinger said: “The new administration in 2009 will negotiate a new agreement and submit it for Congress’s approval and the same steps would repeat.”