Nuke deal: Govt open to taking 'sense of House'

The government said it is ready to take the sense of Parliament on the Indo-US nuclear deal after the process of implementing the agreement is completed, as it asserted that the pact will have no impact on India's right to conduct nuclear test or on the country's foreign policy.

If we feel it necessary to conduct a nuclear test because of geo-political scenario, we will do it, Pranab Mukherjee told the Rajya Sabha.

"We have never said we will not take the sense of the House...let the process (of operationalisation of the agreement) be complete. We have begun the process and it is not complete yet," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Rajya Sabha replying to a marathon debate on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Not satisfied with the hour-long reply, supporting Left parties joined the Opposition BJP and Third Front in staging a walkout insisting that the sense of the House be taken. An agitated Mukherjee said "there is no reason, they have no case."

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, who initiated the debate, said: "I am not fully convinced. My opposition to the deal continues. Majority of the House does not agree with the deal."

Not convinced, Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh questioned the "hurry" with which the government is proceeding to implement the deal.

"Wait a bit. Carry the people and Parliament with you. It is clear from yesterday's debate that a large part of the House is not with you."

Seeking to allay apprehensions of Left parties as well as the Opposition, particularly on whether India retains the right to conduct tests, Mukherjee said the deal will have no impact on strategic or foreign policy of the country.