NEW DELHI, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Former Indian Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh Sunday offered stern criticism of a proposed nuclear deal with the United States, a report said.
The Press Trust of India reported Singh said the draft 123 agreement his country is considering signing with the United States would make India too reliant on U.S. uranium supplies in the future.
He added that the terms of the nuclear deal would make it possible for Washington to cancel it at any time and demand all of its supplies be returned.
The United States would also gain the ability to inspect Indian nuclear facilities, Singh said, along with taking away the nation's right to atomic testing.
Instead of agreeing to the Indo-U.S. deal, the former prime minister suggested that India use imported coal to help in the creation of thermal power plants.
"We can instead import coal which can be done without any conditionalities and set up thermal power plants along the coastline," he said Sunday.
Singh also suggested any future international agreements being considered by India require parliamentary approval.
