Cong hails passage of Indo-US N-deal Bill

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) The Congress today hailed the passage of the Bill on Indo-US nuclear deal by the US Senate, and expressed the hope that the process would now move forward in the right direction leading to the enactment of a legislation on the terms suiting the interests of India.

The party believed that it was a "pioneering initiative" on the part of India towards meeting its nuclear energy needs in future, Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.

Mr Singhvi hoped that "the final end product" of the Indo-US nuclear deal would be in conformity with the July 2005 Declaration He said the nuclear deal had moved forward on the touchstone of equality, energy and engagement. "We came out with the July 2005 Declaration on terms of equality keeping in view the safeguards. The declared objective of the deal that it will bring about a revolution in the field of nuclear energy is something to be welcomed." When the entire process is complete it will be a focussed legislation consistent with the July 2005 legislation, Mr Singhvi said. "It will be a pro-India and for-India legislation. There is no reason to be pessimistic." UNI YS RP BD1924