Uproar over End User pact, BJP walks out terming it sellout

The Indo-US defence pact, called End User pact, has caused an uproar in Parliament, the Opposition says it's not satisfied with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna's clarification on the floor of the House.

The Opposition staged a walkout wanting to know why the government agreed to any monitoring at all by America of India's military bases and equipment.

The BJP is dissatisfied with the Foreign Minister's statement on the agreement and staged walkout.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha LK Advani said: "I want clarification on End User monitoring agreement."

"How can the government ignore objections and sign the agreement? asked Sushma Swaraj, Deputy leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

While the Foreign Minister defended the defence pact.

"Nothing extraordinary about the agreement, it is in larger interest of the nation," said SM Krishna, External Affairs Minister.

The BJP wants the government to explain to the opposition just how India's military interests remain protected from American supervision.

"Why should American officials supervise our facilities. I urge the government to take the house in confidence on the End User Agreement, the technology verification agreement. If the government has done anything wrong then I request the government not to ratify this agreement," said Yashwant Sinha, senior leader, BJP.

According to this pact, the US has agreed to India's terms for selling military equipment to the country. The military sale agreement paves the way for huge military equipment sales by America to India.

In a departure from previous agreements with other countries, America has agreed to India's terms.

Under the pact, the US will not have a unilateral right to inspect India's military bases or military equipment sold to India.

Inspection of equipment sold by the US to India will be done at a place and time of India's choice, and with mutual consultation.

This pact which is yet to be signed between the two countries will be binding for all future US military sales to India.

The agreement will be frozen once signed, and future US laws cannot impinge on it.