RJD backs n-deal at party meet, wants better ties with Pak

Patna, July 5: The RJD, a key UPA ally, has backed the Indo-US nuclear deal saying it would help India become self-reliant in energy requirements.

The party passed its foreign policy and economic and political resolution on Friday night at its national executive meet at Gaya taking an unambiguous stand on the n-deal. RJD chief Lalu Prasad and all key party leaders attended the two-day meet that took place in midst of political uncertainty at the Centre.

The foreign policy resolution, drafted by senior RJD leader and Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, said: “The nuclear deal is very much in interest of the country.”

The party vowed to strengthen relations with Pakistan and asked for an India-Pakistan-Bangaldesh confederation to ensure sound economic and culture ties among the neighbours. The two-day meet concluded on Saturday.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad later told the media the country was “free to withdraw from the deal” if there was a doubt on the deal of not being in the nation’s interest.

Speaking to The Sunday Express, RJD national general secretary Shyam Razak said: “It was necessary to take a clear official stand on several foreign policy matters including the n-deal.” He said though the foreign policy and economic and political resolutions were passed earlier, the present resolutions dealt with specific foreign matters more clearly than before.