Communist allies of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a fresh warning Tuesday against implementing a controversial civilian nuclear deal with the United States.
Communist Party head Prakash Karat said the government should put the pact on hold for six months and give lawmakers a chance to decide whether it threatens India's sovereignty and if it would curb its military capability.
"Do not operationalise the deal for at least six months. The government should wait for the outcome of a discussion in parliament before taking any decision in this matter," Karat said.
The agreement with the US would allow energy-hungry India to buy civilian nuclear technology while possessing nuclear weapons despite not having signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
But the pact, which was concluded in August, has triggered a political storm at home, with the left and the opposition saying it would bring traditionally non-aligned India uncomfortably close to the United States.
Last week, Karat threatened to withdraw support from the government if New Delhi initiated talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a special deal on inspections as a precursor to India being given access to nuclear fuel.
New Delhi must also conclude an agreement with the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers' Group before it can buy power plants and technology.
The deal, the cornerstone of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's foreign policy, also requires the approval of the US Congress before it can be implemented.
