Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Sturday that India cannot be dictated by other countries, while talking to reporters at the Rashtrapti Bhawan.
His statement came in the backdrop of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on Friday at a BJP public meeting that the PM must be influenced by the U.S. Modi alleged that Singh becomes active on his toes only when U.S. election time comes.
Responding to the allegations that the UPA's decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail was due to America's pressure, the Prime Minister, said that none of the countries can dictated terms for India. He also added the Centre will only do what is good for nation, saying "reforms are not one-off process."
The Prime Minister spoke to reporters on the sideline of the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Altmas Kabir as the Chief Justice of India.
The government's latest economic policy to allow up to 51 per cent FDI in retail sector caused furore among the political parties. The Centre's firm stand on the reforms even led to the coalition break down, with Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pulling out of the UPA-2 regime.
However, the Congress-led UPA remained unfazed by Mamata's dramatic exit, with the PM saying that he is not feeling bitter about Mamata breaking ties with the Centre.
On Friday, Modi took a potshot at the PM for easing the FDI norms for foreign chains to claim larger stakes in the domestic retail sector and accused him of giving more importance to the interests of foreigners than that of his own countrymen.
"Why can't PM become Singham for India rather than being so in the interest of foreigners?," Modi questioned.
