India to set up facility to reprocess spent nuclear fuel: PM

The Indo-US nuclear deal does not take away India''s right to conduct tests, that''s the word from Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, in his address to the Lok Sabha today. He asserted that the country retained the strategic autonomy and "sovereign" right to conduct a nuclear test, if needed.

Regarding the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation, Dr Manmohan Singh said that the spent fuel could be reprocessed. Singh added that India will set up a dedicated facility to reprocess fuel and India specific safeguards are in agreement with International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA.

According to the prime minister, nothing in the agreement infringes on the strategic programme and India''s nuclear weapons programme is untouched. The deal protects India''s rights to strategic fuel reserve, stated Dr Singh.

His address to the Lok Sabha was interrupted by opposition uproar and a walkout by the UPA government''s Left allies. Singh also assured the members that India has the permanent right to reprocess nuclear fuel, and will be able to develop strategic reserves of nuclear fuel to ensure uninterrupted supplies to the civilian reactors for their lifetime.

His address to the Rajya Sabha on the nuke deal was also interrupted as the entire opposition and the Left parties staged a walkout, with the house being adjourned.

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