New Delhi, Making it clear that "nuclear swaraj" will be maintained, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today acknowledged that the US law on civil nuclear deal contained "areas of concern" on which "clarifications" would be sought from Washington during further talks which are going to be "difficult".

In a spirited intervention, Singh dismissed opposition's charge that India would become a "client" State of the US if the new American legislation on the deal was accepted.

Nothing will be done that will "dilute, compromise or cast any shadow" on the independence of the country's foreign policy, he said, asking Leader of the Opposition L K Advani not to "worry about India losing its nuclear swaraj (independence)." He, however, noted that outcomes of international negotiations were "not entirely predictable nor always under our control but compromises, if any, cannot violate basic principles." The Prime Minister, however, candidly admitted that there were "areas" in the bill which "continue to be cause for concern to us" and that these will have to be discussed with the US during negotiations on 123 Agreement, which will operationalise the deal.

"Clearly, difficult negotiations lie ahead," he said but emphasised that while going ahead with the process, vital national interests will not be compromised.

India and the US have to work out a bilateral agreement known as 123 Agreement to implement the understanding reached on July 18, 2005 and in the March two, 2006 Separation Plan.