Indo-US nuclear deal to be discussed later tonight

Washington, July 26 (UNI) The U S House of Representatives is slated to discuss late tonight the historic legislation which lifts the 30-year-old ban on the export of American nuclear technology and fuel to India.

The measure, H R 5682 - India-US Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006, drafted broadly on the basis of the landmark agreement envisaged by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President W George Bush, is expected to be discussed for about four hours.

A record number of six amendments have been moved to the legislation, each of which would be debated and voted separately to be followed by a final vote.

The central point in the amendments is to make it obligatory for the U S president to report to Congress every year that that India is not using the American know-how and fuel to build up its nuclear arsenal.

The nuclear cooperation agreement, as being debated by the 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, underlining 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.

The most important amendments are the ones offered by two Democrats from California, Mr Howard Berman and Mr Brad Sherman.

Mr Berman's amendment would restrict exports of uranium and other types of nuclear reactor fuel to India until the US President determines that India has halted the production of fissile material like plutonium and highly enriched uranium which go into the making of nuclear weapons.

Mr Sherman's amendment makes it incumbent on the US President to certify every that during the preceding year India has not increased the level of domestic uranium it sends through its weapons programme effective from July 18, 2005 when the joint statement on nuclear cooperation was issued.

Congressmen Berman's and Sherman's amendment, with slight changes, had been rejected by the House International Relations Committee when it came up before the panel last month.

The legislation was then ratified by a overwhelming majority of 37-5 when the House panel voted on it.

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.

The House vote is one step in a lengthy process. The Senate must also approve the bill but a vote is not expected until September.

The House and Senate would vote again after Indo-US negotiations on the technical details of the agreement are completed.

Also, India must complete negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency on a system of inspections for its civilian nuclear facilities and the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group must change its regulations to allow nuclear transfers to India.

UNI XC SK VC0059