BJP leader and former minister for external affairs Yashwant Sinha was the first off the mark during the debate on the nuclear deal in the Rajya Sabha to question the Prime Minister on his foreign policy. During a strong speech rejecting the nuclear deal, Mr Sinha went on to point out that the Prime Minister did not have the time to attend the SCO summit. Dr Singh was on his feet to insist that there was never any pressure on him or the government to "join or not join the SCO". He said that he had not gone for the summit as "all that I was interested was that if the Indian Prime Minister goes to these meetings, he should not sit in the side lounge, coffee lounge and be involved in an active manner". Mr Sinha took this up to ask the House to note that "our Prime Minister wanted to sit on the main table" and that he had now said that he would not go to the SCO summit meetings until he could do so.
Mr Sinha then moved on to speak of Dr Singh's recent visit to Russia, saying that in Moscow he did not sign the agreement for four nuclear reactors. Dr Singh was back on his feet saying, "What falsehoods you are preaching in this House." He said there was a draft agreement for the four additional nuclear reactors but it could have been operationalised only if India had the necessary safeguards agreement with the IAEA and the clearances from the Nuclear Suppliers' Group. He said these issues were being debated and that is why the agreement had not been signed.
"The false propaganda being made here and outside is not related to the facts of the case," Dr Singh said.
Mr Sinha went on amidst interruptions from the treasury benches to insist that Dr Singh could have signed the agreement subject to the IAEA and NSG clearances. He then said "with full seriousness" that the government had "come under US pressure and did not sign the agreement.