After months of haggling over the Indo-US nuclear deal, there appears to be a sign of reconcilation between the UPA government at the Centre and its Left allies as both sides have agreed to sit down and thrash the vexed issue on Friday next.  

According to sources, the crucial talks to be presided over by the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherkjee, is likely to come out with a statement permitting the Centre to participate in the talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the issue.

Incidentally, a few days earlier, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat had hinted that a solution to the problem was expected from the UPA-Left meeting soon and taking a cue from this, the Centre has taken this as a softening of stand by its Left allies on operationalising the 123 Agreement with the US.

Hence, it is expected that the Left parties, who are sternly against the Indo-US nuclear deal on the pretext of harming national security, are now likely to allow the UPA government to take part in the Vienna talks with the IAEA on negotiations with the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the endorsement of the bilateral 123 Agreement by the US Congress, provided the government does not give anything in writing.

Even A B Bardhan, the Communist Party of India general secretary, had also given indication that the Left might mull over allowing the UPA government to go for talks with the IAEA on the India-specific safeguards pact required for operationalising the nuclear deal, but without initialing it.

Sources said that the Left parties have mooted a solution whereby the government would be permitted to introduce the India-specific safeguards draft for consideration before the UPA-Left committee. And if the committee approves it, things would be fine, otherwise the draft would stands rejected.

However, there appears to be disagreement among the Left parties itself, as the All-India Forward Bloc general secretary Debabrata Biswas has said that Parliament itself could discuss the 123 agreement with the US. He was of the opinion that a move in this direction would be appropriate as it is in keeping with spirit of the Constitution. Incidentally, both the UPA and its Left allies are keen to resolve the issue before the ensuing Gujarat Assembly polls to avoid any political onslaught from their main rival BJP.