The Left parties, however, insisted that there was no consensus on the deal and warned the government of serious consequences if steps were taken to operationalise it.

Making a suo moto statement in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee defended the initiative, saying it was essential to ensure end to an "unfair technology denial" regime and sanctions faced by India for over three decades.

"We will continue to seek broad political consensus within the country to take forward our engagement on this issue with other countries," Mukherjee said.

He did not elaborate but was clearly referring to efforts to overcome the stiff opposition by the Left allies to operationalisation of the deal with the US.

Seeking to allay the apprehensions of Left and other arties over the Hyde Act, Mukherjee said the legislation was an enabling provision between the Executive and Legislative organs of the US and India will have civil nuclear cooperation with the US under the 123 Agreement only.