US-India nuclear deal legislation seen moving soon

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) US legislation supporting a nuclear agreement that gives India access to American civil atomic technology is expected to move forward next week, the top US diplomat for South Asia said.

Richard Boucher, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, said the two chambers of the US Congress would go to work soon on legislation that cleared key congressional committees last month.

''The House will be acting perhaps in the next week and we hope the Senate will as well, so the US-India civil nuclear agreement is on track, the legislation is moving forward quickly and the United States is keeping our commitment,'' he told reporters.

The controversial pact grants India access to US nuclear fuel and reactors for the first time in 30 years although the giant Asian nation has never joined the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and developed atomic bombs in secret.

A spokesman for House of Representatives Majority Leader John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, said the schedule was not certain but that Republicans hoped to get the bill done next week.

Boucher cautioned that he could not draw a timetable for the legislative work and international negotiations which must be finished to enact the deal signed a year ago on Tuesday by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

''If all the pieces come together and we have the legislation, it's conceivable that all this could be done by the end of the year but I can't promise specifically that it will be because each of these factors has to move forward,'' he said.

In addition to the US legislation, Washington also must complete technical talks with India on implementing the agreement and finish discussions with the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

India must complete negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency aimed at bring the country's nuclear sites under international monitoring.

Critics say the accord will weaken global non-proliferation efforts and in particular undercut a US-led campaign to curtail Iran's nuclear program. Supporters call it a vital US opening to a new geopolitical ally.

The Group of Eight industrial nations gave tacit approval to the US-India nuclear accord at their summit in St Petersburg, Russia, which concluded yesterday.

''We look forward to reinforcing our partnership with India (and) note the commitments India has made,'' the G8 said, adding that future nuclear cooperation with India could be possible if New Delhi took further steps on non-proliferation.

Reuters DKS GC0503