India, US to ink nuclear deal today

Washington, Oct 10 : India and US will sign the 123 Agreement today, paving the way for nuclear commerce between the two countries. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will sign the agreement with US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) last night approved the landmark accord to implement the civil nuclear deal.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at a meeting of his Cabinet colleagues discussed the final shape of the agreement and the accompanying statement by President George W Bush.

The meeting which was lasted for two hours was attended by Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Railways Minister Lalu Yadav.

On Wednesday, US President George W Bush had signed into law the legislation to implement the historic Indo-US civil nuclear deal assuring there are "no changes" in fuel supply commitments as provided in the 123 Agreement.

In a statement, he maintained that the legislation is clear that the agreement with India is consistent with Atomic Energy Act and the US law.

Bush inked the "H R 7081, United States- India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act" finally cleared by the US Congress last week reversing 34 years of US policy to eventually allow American businesses to have a share of India's 100 billion dollar nuclear pie.

ANI