Bush hails Cong approval of India-US nuke deal

Washington, Dec 10: US President George W Bush has welcomed congressional approval of the India-US nuclear agreement, saying that ''the bipartisan legislation will strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries and deliver valuable benefits''.

''I am pleased that our two countries will soon have increased opportunities to work together to meet our energy needs in a manner that does not increase air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, promotes clean development, supports nonproliferation, and advances our trade interests,'' Bush said in a statement yesterday.

He called it an ''extraordinary legislation'' and said, ''I look forward to signing this bill into law soon.'' Congress passed the US-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act shortly before adjourning for the remainder of 2006. The measure lifts the 30-year-old ban on the export of US nuclear technology and fuel to India.

The legislation codifies the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement, announced July 18, 2005, by President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Washington, and then signed in early March 2006 during Bush's state visit to India.

The original version or the legislation was passed by the House of Representatives July 26, 359-68 votes. The Senate, however, made changes in the bill before approving it, 85-12, on November 16.

In the US, different versions of an approved bill are reconciled before being sent to the president. In this case, the House and Senate conferees agreed on a final product December 7. First the House and then the Senate passed this reconciled version of the bill December 8.

A key element of the agreement is the provision of assistance for India's civilian nuclear energy sector, which currently provides only 3 per cent of the country's electricity. India wants to raise that percentage for economic development purposes.

The US sees the agreement as a way for India formally to comply with some of the same tenets codified in the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty, which New Delhi never signed.

Under the deal, India has agreed to separate its nuclear reactors used for civilian purposes from those designated for military use.

Further, it has agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor its 14 civilian reactors and to bring them under IAEA safeguards, to continue its moratorium on nuclear weapons testing, and not to transfer nuclear technology to third parties.

US Senate India Caucus co-chairman. John Corny said the passage of this cooperative agreement bring India into the mainstream of international nonproliferation efforts, while lessening India's dependence on fossil fuels.

CII President R Seshasayee, CII said ''This is a vote of confidence in India''.

The CII statement said, ''India can now expand its Energy programs and CII hopes that the Nuclear Suppliers group countries will fully co-operate in recognising India's position as a responsible nuclear power.''

UNI