Wednesday, July 26 2006 14:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Days ahead of a vote on the India-US civil nuclear energy deal in the US Congress, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday assured parliament that there would be "no compromise" with the joint statement signed by him and US President George Bush.

Intervening during the question hour in the Lok Sabha, Manmohan Singh said his government was trying to ensure "utmost transparency" and "overall accountability" about the nuclear deal, which would open the doors of global nuclear commerce for India in return for placing its civilian nuclear facilities under international inspections.

"We will never compromise in a manner which is not consistent with the July 18 joint statement," Manmohan Singh said.

"I have given you many assurances that there will be utmost transparency," the prime minister said, alluding to his statement in parliament early this year on India's separation plan of its civilian and military nuclear facilities.

"The government is ready for a debate or if the speaker wants I am ready for a suo motu statement," he told the house.

Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma also assured the house that India would "not accept any new conditions or obligation" outside the July 18 statement.

Responding to a question about the impact of the nuclear deal on India's foreign policy and its position on Iran, Sharma stressed that the Iran nuclear question was "a separate issue altogether".

"India's position is clear on nuclear non-proliferation and we have recognised Iran's right to civil nuclear energy," he stressed, adding that there was no reference in the July 18 joint statement to India's foreign policy.