New Delhi: A strong proponent of the Indo-US nuclear deal, former American Secretary of State Henry Kissinger today asked India to decide fast on it as it was a "great opportunity" which New Delhi could miss.
Kissinger conveyed this to Petroleum Minister Murli Deora during a meeting here. As they discussed the issues related to the deal, the former US official said he understood efforts being made here to evolve a consensus on the deal in the wake of opposition by Left parties. He, however, was of the view that the Manmohan Singh government needed to decide fast as "it is a great opportunity which India could miss".
Favouring early conclusion of the deal, Kissinger had yesterday warned that a delay could impact upon the prospects of such a cooperation as the critics would be "better organised" two years later. He noted that India must implement the deal "for its own reasons" and not "as a favour to" or "under pressure" from the US.
