The United States has elucidated that they were not opposed to signing up the nuclear deal with a minority government in India, but this assertion must be satisfying the pro-nuclear deal sections in the government and the Congress.

In an interview to weekly 'Outlook' magazine, the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said, “Our basic government position is that we can sign an agreement with a duly-constituted government, whatever its political status."

The US Assistant Secretary of State stated that in response to the Indian External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee's comment that a minority government "cannot, need not and should not sign a major agreement" like the nuclear deal.

Mr. Boucher said, “As long as it is duly-constituted government of the country, we can sign a deal with it.”

India and the US are yet to ink the deal formally, although they have concluded negotiations on the 123 agreement for cooperation in civil nuclear field. However, the US official refused to reveal details of his discussion with the Indian leadership on the matter.

When asked whether Indian officials discussed the possibility of signing a deal with a minority or a caretaker government, Mr. Boucher replied, “I don’t remember it actually coming up at all during my meetings with Indian officials.”

Speaking further on the Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's remarks, Mr. Boucher said, "That’s a political judgement that the Foreign Minister in his political role is going to make. That's not a matter of precedent."

The issue has been under question, whether the agreement can be signed if the Left parties opposing to the deal, withdraw support to the minority Manmohan Singh government.