New Delhi, Jul 20 (IANS): The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has asked the government not to dilute the civil nuclear liability law as sought by the US.

"The US continues to exercise pressure on the Indian government to dilute the law," it said. "This has become evident from the statement made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

Clinton has asked India to engage with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure that the nuclear liability law "fully conforms" with the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC).

"The CSC does not provide for suppliers' liability in the event of a nuclear accident," the CPI-M said in a statement.

"The Indian government should reject this suggestion. The IAEA is only a depository for the Convention and cannot judge a law passed by parliament."

The CPI-M said the government was vacillating and seeking to accommodate US concerns, "which are primarily the interests of its nuclear industry".

"The Civil Nuclear Liability Act was passed in parliament after compelling the government to accept section 17(b) which provides for foreign suppliers liability.

"This national law should prevail over any international convention," the party said.