PM leaves for G-8 summit - all eyes on sideline meet with Bush Wed

Monday, Jul 7     NEW DELHI - Though the prime agenda of the Group of Eight summit in Hokkaido, Japan, is the spiral in food and fuel prices, what India awaits is news on an entirely different issue - the much touted sideline meet of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with U.S. President George W.. Bush.     The two leaders are scheduled to meet Wednesday, with the crux of their powwow likely to be the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, which has triggered a major realignment of political forces at home.     The four-party Left Front, key ally of the United Progressive Alliance government, has threatened to pull out if the government proceeds with the nuclear deal. However, Samajwadi Party of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh had pledged to support the coalition government.     The Singh-Bush meet is expected to be the last one during their respective tenures in office. Both have been trying to ensure the historical, but controversial deal is sealed before their respective terms end.     While U.S. presidential polls are due in November and the new president will assume office in January, the UPA will complete its term in May.     Singh has maintained the deal would end India's isolation in international nuclear trade, and would help India boost its energy security.     The Left allies of the government, however, claim the nuclear deal would bring India into the U.S. strategic orbit and compromise the nation's sovereignty.

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