• You say the military reactors which have been left out of the 123 deal are not enough for minimum credible deterrence. But we can build more military reactors.

But building reactors is not that easy. As far as the strategic programme is concerned, the adverse impact is whether one wants to have the deal or not.

• Tell me, you have the mind of a modern-day Chanakya, how does one save the deal and the Indo-U.S. relationship? If you were advising the UPA government, how could they get out of this.

Before I answer that question, let me make it clear I’m not going to be speaking on behalf of any political party or any leadership.

• You may speak as an architect of this new strategic shift in India’s foreign policy.

This is a very personal opinion.

• In fact you changed the way India looks at itself in the strategic mirror.

If I were to get credible guarantees from the government about the integrity of what we had left behind three and a half years ago, I would tell them to go forward with the deal. I’m not so critical of the U.S. for following its policy; I’m critical of this government for bending to the wishes of the U.S. and losing sight of our supreme national interest.

• But in this case, if I understand you correctly, what you are saying is that you are also concerned that this government has not shown adequate enthusiasm for the nuclear weapons programme. Is that your impression, or do you also get it from what people tell you?

... contd.