Intervening in the much-awaited debate, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rejected Opposition charges saying the deal does not take away India's right to conduct a nuclear test.

The CPM, outside supporter of the UPA government, dubbed the agreement as a ‘surrender’ to Washington and warned the Congress, leading the coalition, that ‘it will not take it lying down’.

Leader of the Opposition L K Advani was scathing in his criticism of the government alleging that the deal bars India's right to test, treats New Delhi as a ‘junior partner’ and could lead to even American inspectors to oversee Indian reactors.

"123 Agreement as it stands today is unacceptable," Advani said adding ‘no self-respecting country can agree to it’.

Advani took the name of Indira Gandhi repeatedly as he sought to drive the point that the deal was not favourable for India.