New Delhi: A day after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi accused Dr Manmohan Singh of working for the benefit of "foreigners", the Prime Minister on Saturday hit back at the BJP leader.

Speaking here shortly after the oath-taking ceremony of new Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, Dr Singh said his government doesn’t work at the behest of any foreign nation.

Both Dr Singh and Modi’s remarks were in context to the government’s decision to allow 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail.

“FDI has nothing to do with the US. We are not to be dictated by others,” the PM said.

The Prime Minister stressed that economic reforms will continue, adding his government will do everything possible in the interest of the nation.

“We will do what is good for the country. Reforms are not once-for-all process,” he stated.

The PM also welcomed the recent Supreme Court opinion on Presidential Reference, which clarified that auctions were not the only way to allocate natural resources.

“We honour Supreme Court opinion on Presidential reference on allocation of natural resources,” Dr Singh said.

Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister, Modi had yesterday compared him to a Hindi film character "Singham", asking as to why he became bold only to benefit foreign countries.

"Mister Prime Minister, the country wants to know - in eight years, you have become Singham twice, once when there was the nuclear treaty with the US, and the second time on the FDI issue," Modi said.

"Both the instances benefit foreigners, why doesn't he become Singham for India?" he questioned.

He also said that on both occasions, polls were about to be held in the US.

"What is the reason behind the PM becoming active when there are polls in the US? Is there a connection?" he questioned.

Modi also attacked Congress president Sonia Gandhi, questioning if her recent visit to the US had an effect on the decision.

"Did Soniaji's trip to the US affect the decision on FDI?" he asked.

According to Congress spokespersons, Sonia Gandhi was in the US for a week in the beginning of September to get her health check-up done. She underwent a surgery for an ailment in the US last year.