US Chamber of Commerce seeks approval of US-India nuke deal

Washington, Mar 10 (UNI) The United States Chamber of Commerce today announced a massive grassroots effort to win the US congress approval of the civilian nuclear deal between the United States and India.

''We're confident that once Congress has all the facts, they will strongly endorse an agreement that will help cement a new and important strategic partnership between the United States and India,'' said Lt. Gen. Dan Christman (Ret.), the Chamber's senior vice president of international affairs.

The Chamber said, the agreement would foster a stronger strategic partnership, enhance nuclear non-proliferation efforts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and open the door to more trade between the two countries.

''We're going to ensure that Congress and the public get those facts and clearly understand the extraordinary benefits of stronger ties between our two great democracies,'' Mr Christman pointed out.

President Bush announced the agreement during his trip to India recently. It would allow the United States to share civilian nuclear technology with India. In return, India has agreed to separate its civilian and strategic nuclear facilities and put its civilian facilities under international safeguards and inspection. The agreement requires the approval of the US Congress.

The Chamber's campaign will include extensive lobbying on Capitol Hill, a public education program, and grassroots activism. The Chamber is coordinating its activities with the Coalition for Partnership with India (CPI), a forum created and managed by the Chamber that includes businesses, academic institutions, associations, think-tanks and others who support a stronger strategic partnership with India.

''This agreement could provide the US business community with 100 billion dollars worth of new opportunities in India in the energy sector alone,'' Mr Christman added. ''Strengthening our partnership will spur India's economic reforms and open markets to US investment in key areas from IT and telecom to pharmaceuticals and insurance,'' he opined.

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