US avoids comment on PMs nuke statement

Washington, Aug 14: US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack has parried question relating to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in Parliament regarding the nuclear tests by India in future.

When asked to comment on Dr Singh's statement that they are free to test a nuclear weapon under the negotiations, Mr McCormack said, ''I hadn't seen the comments. We'll get you an answer.'' The Prime Minister reportedly told the Lok Sabha yesterday that the Indo-US nuclear agreement did not in any way inhibit, restrict or curtail ''our'' strategic autonomy or capabilities.

Dr Singh also said, ''the agreement does not affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in country's national interest.

UNI