Referring to the Opposition’s charge that the Government was surrendering the right to conduct nuclear tests, AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “Did the Prime Minister ever tell anybody that India will have the right to test but the US will not have the right to react? In 35 years we have tested only twice. There is no need to test (any further) in all probability.”

The ruling party contended that if the country needed to test in the next 15 to 20 years, there will be enough strategic fuel reserves by then. Besides, even if the US then decides to stop fuel supply, the 123 Agreement does not forbid other NSG countries from supplying it.

“The need for testing is being exaggerated. We don’t need to conduct nuclear tests daily. If there will be a need for it in an emergency situation, the Government has kept the option open. As far as possible, we are not interested in testing. While we refuse to sign the NPT and CTBT, which we consider discriminatory, it doesn’t, for a moment, mean that we are trigger happy, gung ho and irresponsible nuclear power,” said Singhvi.

The Congress spokesperson also reminded the Opposition of the previous NDA regime’s decision to declare a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing.

“It is an artificial storm in a non-existent teacup,” said the spokesman denying the BJP’s and Left’s charges. “It is an irony that in case the deal does not get through, the maximum applause would be in Islamabad, Beijing and Nagpur (RSS headquarters),” he said.