Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said there is no compromise in any manner on India's independent foreign policy on account of the civil nuclear deal with the US and the strategic autonomy will be retained.
Making a statement in Lok Sabha on the recent agreement, he said it will not hinder or otherwise interfere with India's nuclear activities, including military nuclear facilities.
"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," Singh said amid slogan shouting by Opposition BJP and Third Front members.
The agreement does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in country's national interest, Singh said in a suo motu statement.
Singh urged those who question government's committment to an independent foreign policy to display the same degree of confidence in India as others from outside do.
"Thus, there is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent foreign policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy," he said.
Maintaining that the agreement has been negotiated as an equal partner with the US on the principle of mutual benefit, the prime minister said the deal does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in India's national interest.
"Let me hence reiterate once again that a decision to undertake future nuclear test would be our sovereign decision, one that rests solely with the government.
"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.
The Prime Minister said India's right to pursue its three-stage nuclear programme remained undiluted.
"In the unlikely event of cessation of cooperation there is no derogation of our rights with regard to corrective measures. Our reprocessing rights are upfront are upfront and permanent in nature. Advanced R&D programmes and IPR protection are fully safeguarded," he said.
Singh said the agreement provides for full civil nuclear cooperation that will include nuclear reactors and the aspects of the associated nuclear fuel cycle, including technology transfer on industrial or commercial use.
It would also include development of strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to guard against any disruption of supply over the lifetime of Indian reactors.
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