Saturday, March 11 2006 15:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Seeking to allay concerns over the Indo-US deal, Government today(Mar 11,2006) said the accord will ensure uninteruppted supply of nuclear fuel for the country's growing energy needs and allow transfer of foreign technology for research in key areas like agriculture and health.

"We want to ensure that the common man gets his daily requirements. The accord will assure vital energy supplies for generations to come and open up transfer of foreign technology for research in areas of agriculture, health, industry and environment," Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said intervening in a debate in Lok Sabha on the civil nuclear agreement with US.

Attacking the previous NDA regime for carrying out the 1998 nuclear weapons tests, Sibal said they had led to denial of fuel from the nuclear suppliers' group and prevented transfer of technology for crucial research due to international sanctions.

Observing that energy needs would be the 'heart' of the country's developmental process, the Minister said the 1998 tests did not help India in augmenting its energy resources while looking after its military programme to protect itself from security threats from neighboring region where nuclear weapons exist.

Lauding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson for the 'momentous' deal, he said it had been done in 'national interests" without jeopardising the nuclear weapons programme.

Asserting that the Manmohan Singh Government stood 'steadfastly' to guard India's future needs, Sibal said the separation of reactors for civilian and military requirements will ensure stockpiling of uranium for generating energy.

"We can stockpile as much uranium we want for energy production without compromising on security. At present only 2.3 per cent of power comes from nuclear reactors. We can in future build as many reactors as we want and put them under IAEA safeguards for supplying power," he said in his nearly half-an-hour speech.

At the same time, the Minister said it would be India's decision to build and put reactors for military purposes with any international objection.

Recalling that Australian Prime Minister John Howard had refused to supply any nuclear material to India before his recent visit to India, Sibal said there was a 'subtle' change in his tenor when he left the country.

Noting that India has put a cap on testing nuclear weapons as part of the decision world-wide, he said the country will be able to use its huge thorium reserves for its three-stage nuclear programme while keeping fissile material outside safeguards. India has the third largest deposits of thorium after Australia and Indonesia.

"We will not be slaves of the ideology of the past and indulge in political opportunism. The Indo-US nuclear deal will only bring advantages for the common people in the future," he said.