NEW DELHI, August 13, SPA -- India is free to test nuclear weapons under a much-touted nuclear deal with the United States,the country's prime minister said Monday as lawmakersopposed to the pact noisily demanded the agreement bescrapped, the Associated Press reported. Many of the Indian critics of the deal oppose closer tieswith the United States, and some argue the pact underminesthe country's cherished nuclear weapons program. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sought to allay those fearson Monday, telling lawmakers, the pact does not «affectIndia's right to undertake future nuclear tests if it isnecessary in India's national interest.» --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/474682