Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says the recent accord signed by India and the United States to access civilian nuclear technology is not a military alliance aimed against China.
Mr. Singh told parliament he wants to dispel illusions and emphasize that the accord is not a military alliance, nor is it an alliance against any country. He said the deal aims only to boost India's economic growth.
Under the agreement, Mr. Singh agreed to separate India's civil and military nuclear programs, open its civil facilities to the scrutiny of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and work with the United States against nuclear proliferation.
President Bush promised he would ask Congress and allied nations to lift sanctions preventing Indian access to civil nuclear technology.
The strongest opposition to the pact has come from India's communist parties and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.
Mr. Singh told parliament he wants to dispel illusions and emphasize that the accord is not a military alliance, nor is it an alliance against any country. He said the deal aims only to boost India's economic growth.
Under the agreement, Mr. Singh agreed to separate India's civil and military nuclear programs, open its civil facilities to the scrutiny of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and work with the United States against nuclear proliferation.
President Bush promised he would ask Congress and allied nations to lift sanctions preventing Indian access to civil nuclear technology.
The strongest opposition to the pact has come from India's communist parties and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.