PM says he is ready to face Parliament before operationalising the nuke deal

New Delhi, June 30 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday downplayed the Left Parties threat to withdraw support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, saying that he was confident of facing Parliament before operationalising the US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal that was first signed on July 18, 2005.

Singh said he wanted the Government to be allowed to complete the negotiation process with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the 45-nation Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG).

Breaking his silence on the nearly fortnight-long stand-off with the Left on the issue, Singh expressed confidence that the Government would be able to address the concerns of all including the Left on the agreement.

"I hope we can work out. We can still work out an outcome that will satisfy all parties," he told senior journalists at his residence after releasing the 'National Action Plan on Climate Change' brought out by the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change.

Initially Dr. Singh said that he would not like to speak on the nuclear issue, saying that maintaining silence was better. But later, he came out with his comments in reply to questions.

ANI