N-deal is good for India and world: PM

Manmohan Singh said that it will not be the end of the world if the nuclear deal does not go through. Special: Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Friday that India's nuclear agreement with the US is an honourable deal that is good for India and good for the world, adding the Government was trying to reconcile the divergent viewpoints on the issue within the ruling coalition.

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Singh said it is his hope that on the nuclear deal, common sense will ultimately prevail. Asked if he would step down if the Left does not agree to the nuclear deal, Singh quipped, "It is a suggestion for action."

He was speaking at a question-answer session at the fifth Hindustan Times Leadership Summit at the Taj Palace in Delhi.

The Prime Minister said if the Indo-US nuclear deal does not go through, 'it will be a disappointment'. "But in life one has to live with disappointments," he added. "It's not an one issue Government," he said, referring to the N-deal.

At the same time, he also asserted that it will not be the end of the world if the deal does not go through.

The Prime Minister said it is his hope and expectation that the Government will stay the course and noted there are a lot of unfinished agenda left to be completed.