Prime Minister Manmohan Singh strongly defended the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement in Parliament on Monday, maintaining that it will, in no way, harm the sovereignty of the country even as the main opposition, UNPA and Left, for once, found themselves on the same side in opposing the 123 agreement.
Amidst continuous sloganshouting from the UNPA and opposition benches besides a walkout by the Left, the Prime Minister asserted that the country can take corrective measures if the US terminates the deal and is free to hold nuclear tests in future. ?Nothing in the agreement would impinge on our strategic programme, our three-stage nuclear power programme or our ability to conduct advanced research and development,? he asserted in Lok Sabha when the Opposition, the UNPA and the Left were demanding the scrapping of the deal. ?The agreement does not, in any way, affect India?s right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in India?s national interest,? he added.
Singh was subjected to chants of ?Shame, Shame? and ?deal wapas lo (scrap the deal)? for the full 30 minutes when he read from a prepared statement. ?There is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy,? said the PM adding that both India and the US will be mutually benefited from the deal.
?New Delhi has also secured the permanent upfront right for reprocessing and will be able to develop strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to ensure uninterrupted supplies to the civilian reactors for their lifetime,? he said in the statement.
?There is nothing in the agreement that would tie the hands of a future government or legally constrain its options to protect India?s security and defence needs,? he said dismissing the arguments that the deal would make India a ?permanent ally? of the US. The agreement will not hinder or otherwise interfere with India?s nuclear activities, including our military facilities,? he clarified.
?I will let history judge… When future generations look back, they will come to acknowledge the significance of this historic deal,? a confident Prime Minister, who challenged the Left on the other day to withdraw their support, said.