Intervening in the Lok Sabha debate on the India-United States civil nuclear deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] said if the need arises, India would conduct a nuclear test. Dr Singh was forced to make the statement following charges levelled against the government by the opposition.

"There is nothing in the agreement that prevents us from carrying out tests," Dr Singh said and resumed his seat, but not before accusing the National Democratic Alliance government of announcing a unilateral decision not to test after May 1998.

Criticising the government, Leader of Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani said the United Progressive Alliance had pawned India's national security. He quoted an article by The Hindu's editor-in-chief N Ram that said a similar agreement had been ready for signing during the summit meeting between Dr Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin [Images], but 'the Indian side backed out'.

Advani also quoted US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns as saying that the signing of the agreement was the only way to bring India into the non-proliferation treaty through the back door.