Former NSA slams opposition to end use agreement

Terming the opposition in Parliament over the End Use Monitoring Agreement between India and the United States as 'bunkum', former national security advisor Brajesh Mishra told rediff.com on Wednesday, "We should ask these leaders to address the question: do you want defence equipment from the US or not?"

He added, "If you want to buy the American equipment, then you will have to agree to the EUMA also. It is up to you to decide what you want."

Mishra, who served as the NSA during the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance regime, pointed out that there were talks about the matter some time back, when it was decided that EUMA will be incorporated into the contract.

Mishra said, "The issue is that you cannot tell any country to forget about their laws. Even India will not agree if asked to do so."

When asked about the allegation against the United Progressive Alliance government, of compromising the nation's 'sovereignty by allowing intrusive inspections of sensitive defence installations', he said, "It is up to the buyer to decide what he wants. If you don't want high-tech equipment, then don't buy!"

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