India's nuclear deal with the United States will have no impact on its nuclear weapons programs, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told his country's parliament Monday.
His comments came amid mounting criticism of the deal that both his Congress party's opposition groups and Left-party supporters say will compromise India's foreign policy and strategic programs.
"Let me hence reiterate once again that a decision to undertake a future nuclear test would be our sovereign decision, one that rests solely with the government," Singh told lawmakers.
The Left party allies and the opposition Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party have been demanding scrapping of the accord that seeks to open up the Indian market for suppliers of fissile material, technology and equipment.
"Thus, there is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent foreign policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy," Singh said.
"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 defense needs," Singh added.
Singh sought to play down fears over Washington's policy of not supplying to any country enrichment, reprocessing and heavy water production facilities, saying the agreement provided for such transfers to India through an amendment.
Last week, the prime minister challenged the Left party to withdraw their support to his government as he refused to back down on the pact.
