External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee has the unenviable job of forging a consensus on the Indo-US nuclear deal, especially vis-a-vis the Left. Extremely careful not to upset the coalition's fragile balance of interests, he spoke to Seema Sirohi on the difficult path ahead. Excerpts:
What is the next step on the nuclear deal?
Is the draft almost final?
Any more meetings with the IAEA?
Would you include something the Left leaders suggest?
So when you go to Washington...
The fact that the deal is taking longer than envisaged...
And if that is not possible?
Do you think talk of an early election is premature?
The PM sought the BJP's support for the nuclear deal. Are you hopeful?
But the Left is not in a mood to compromise.
What could be a face-saver for the Left?
If it doesn't materialise?
Is it possible for a minority government to sign an agreement?
Are you optimistic on the NSG process?
You're giving very existential answers.
Both the PM and the Congress party president said in October that the survival of the government is more important than the deal.
But there seems to be a flurry of activity now related to the deal. ..
Fair enough. But the timeline is getting tighter.
Is it possible for you to get support from other parties?
