Saturday, March 11 2006 17:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India has not accepted a cap on its strategic nuclear capability while entering into the civilian nuclear deal with the US, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared in the Lok Sabha today(Mar11,2006).

Replying to a day-long discussion on the nuclear accord, Singh also declared that "We will not not forego the three stage programme which will enable us to utilise the vast thorium reserves in future".

The Prime Minister said through the deal the Government has 'widened development options for meeting the adequate energy needs of the country' and has taken 'full care' that the strategic programme is protected.

"It is a step forward which will take the country on a higher growth and development trajectory," he said adding that research and development opportunities will also not be adversely affected due to the Indo-US agreement.

The Prime Minister said the US has given a number of assurances for uninterrupted supply of nuclear material for use in civilian reactors but in case of any stoppage the country has the 'right to take corrective measures'.

He also assured the House that the confidentiality of the strategic programme has remained 'fully protected and will remain fully protected'.

On the issue of closure of CIRUS reactor located in BARC, which has been declared a strategic site where no foreign inspection would be allowed, Singh said that only the fuel core of other nuclear reactor APSARA would be shifted and not the reactor itself.

This was because the BARC was an institution of "high national security importance and will not be allowed any international inspection", he said.