India-U S nuclear deal makes tortuous progress

Washinton, Dec 18 (Reuters) President George W Bush today signed a landmark law that is a major step toward allowing the United States to sell civilian nuclear technology to India.

Here is a chronology of efforts by the two countries to re-establish civilian nuclear ties: July 18, 2005 - Bush, in a dramatic policy shift, promises India full cooperation in developing its civilian nuclear power program without demanding that it sign the NuclearNon-Proliferation Treaty.

March 2, 2006 - Bush and India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announce a civilian nuclear deal in New Delhi. Washington offers India nuclear fuel and technology provided it separates its civil and military nuclear facilities and places the former under international inspections.

March 7 - India says it will open 14 of its 22 nuclear plants for international inspections by 2014; keeps itsexperimental fast breeder reactor program outside safeguards.

March 16 - Legislation to implement the deal is formally introduced in the U.S. Congress.

June 27 - The House International Relations Committee approves changes in U.S. law to allow the accord to proceed.

June 29 - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approves legislation endorsing the deal and setting rules for final approval.

July 7 - Nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) begins talks with India to bring Indian nuclear sites under IAEA monitoring.

July 26 - The House gives initial approval to the nuclear cooperation accord; lawmakers reject amendments that aim to put limits on India's nuclear weapons program.

Aug. 14 - Eight top Indian scientists say revisions proposed by U.S. lawmakers to the deal could hurt India's ability to research and develop nuclear technology.

Aug. 17 - India warns Congress not to tinker with the deal and says it will not accept any significant changes.

Nov. 16 - The full Senate approves accord. Amendments that would have required India to stop producing fissile-grade material and a requirement that New Delhi end military cooperation with Iran fail.

Amendment requiring Bush to determine India is ''fully and actively'' participating in efforts to contain Iran's nuclear program passes.

Dec. 9 - Congress gives final approval to the bill.

Reuters RL DB2347