House to debate on historic nuclear deal between India and the US

Washington, July 26 (UNI) The landmark legislation giving effect to the ''historic civilian nuclear deal'' between India and the United States, to be taken up for an hour-long discussion in the House of Representatives here today, is likely to be approved by a handsome majority, according to Congressional sources.

The vote will come at the end of an hour-long debate on the legislation and another hour of discussion on the six amendments that have been moved today.

The nuclear cooperation agreement, as being debated by Congress, would lift three-decades-long restrictions and allow the United States to sell technology to assist India's civilian nuclear sector.

In return, India would open up civilian nuclear plants to international inspection.

Some of the Congressmen, underling the importance of the Indo-US relations believe that the deal, allowing India to buy American technology and nuclear reactors for the first time in 30 years, ''could be the most important step made in cementing a critical partnership between India and the United States.'' But some others notably two Democrats Howard Berman and Brad Sherman (both from California) have included strong language underscoring concerns about nuclear proliferation and worries about any Indian violations of the accord.

Basically the legislation seeks to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to give a specific waiver to enable India to carry one nuclear commerce with the United States. But to become effective it needs the approval of both houses of the US Congress as well as the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which regulates the global trade in nuclear technology and equipment.

As the deal moves closer to possible approval by Congress, the Bush administration has been pushing lawmakers to approve necessary changes in US law to allow the nuclear-related exports. The administration says approval will mark an important turning point in US-India relations, and will not harm global nonproliferation efforts.

However, some in the House believe that in the process of providing such assistance, the United States may help India free up resources it will then devote to producing more nuclear weapons.

Such skepticism became clear in a House subcommittee hearing last week chaired by Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California. He said Congress must be very cautious ''As we move forward with this India initiative, that number one, that we are not doing so in a way that will in some way enhance the nuclear weapons capability of India.'' MORE UNI XC SB RAI2156