NEW DELHI, Dec 18: Even as US President George W. Bush ratified a landmark nuclear cooperation deal with India on Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told parliament that New Delhi would not accept clauses that interfere with its policy on Iran or future nuclear tests.
Dr Singh also tersely told opposition leader Lal Kishan Advani to
stop dreaming of becoming prime minister any time soon because the nuclear deal though opposed by his leftist allies, was not going to bring down the two and half years old government.
The US bill signed by President Bush into law was necessary for the United States to resume civil nuclear cooperation with India and also an important step leading to the lifting of international restrictions currently applicable to India.
"We appreciate the efforts made by the US Administration and the bipartisan support in the US Congress, which has led to the passage of this legislation. This law has several positive features, which take into account our concerns," Dr Singh said.
"Our strategic programme will not be subject to external scrutiny or interference of any kind. So Shri Advaniji need not worry about India losing its Nuclear Swaraj.
Safeguarding the autonomy of the strategic programme is a solemn duty of this government. I repeat, nothing will be done that will compromise, dilute or cast a shadow on India's full autonomy in the management of its security and national interests," Dr Singh said.
"I repeat, no legislation of a foreign country can take away from us our sovereign right to conduct foreign relations, be it with Iran, or with other countries, solely in accordance with our national interests."
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had pleaded with the US Congress to support the deal saying India had twice voted with the United States against Iran, including a politically shocking vote at the IAEA.
The prime minister said his July 18 joint statement and the March 2 Separation Plan with President Bush involved complex issues.
"I believe we were able to achieve outcomes that in no way compromised India's interests. In fact there was wide public support when the issues were fully explained...Clearly, difficult negotiations lie ahead."
Dr Singh seemed miffed by Mr Advani's recent interview in which he had discussed the possibility of his becoming prime minister.
He said Mr Advani was painting a scary picture over the deal, which was far from reality, in a bid to topple the United Progress Alliance government.
''You will have to wait for a very long time," Dr Singh said amid loud cheers from the treasury benches. "In any case you would have to seek the permission of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to have the wish fulfilled," he said.
Agency adds: The deal reverses decades of US policy that, until July 2005, opposed nuclear cooperation with India because it developed nuclear weapons in contravention of international standards and never signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
But it still needs the approval of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, the International Atomic Energy Agency and again by the U.S. Congress before nuclear transfers can take place.
Under the deal, India has agreed to allow international inspections at 14 civilian nuclear plants while eight military facilities would still be off-limits.
The deal has also attracted criticism in the United States for undermining efforts to curb the spread of nuclear weapons.
