Senate passage of nuclear deal is a 'historic moment': Congress

New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Congress party on Thursday termed the approval of the Indo-US nuclear deal by the US Congress a "historic moment" for India as it has joined the elite nuclear club without signing the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "It is definitely a historic moment calling for celebration. There is no other entity ever in the history of the nuclear development in the globe which has no CTBT, no NPT, no other commitments except 123 (accord with the US) which brings us into the nuclear club."

While reacting to the passage of the deal in the US Senate, Singhvi said, "No other country has uranium and reactor supply assurances as we do without signing those treaties.

Singhvi further said that no other country in the history of the world has passed through the 'fire test' in such a remarkably short time through the NSG, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the House of Representatives and the Senate.

"It is lightning speed which is unheard of in the world and ultimately a tribute to India's standing in the world," added Singhvi.

He also took a dig at the Left and other parties which opposed the deal, and said, "Unfortunately we had (lost) over three years because of domestic opposition."

Recalling that India had moved the international arena only in July this year, Singhvi said in three months the country crossed the process of moving through the IAEA, NSG and the US Congress.

Last month, the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) of countries that supply nuclear material and technology agreed to lift the ban on civilian nuclear trade with India after contentious talks and some concessions to countries fearful it could set a dangerous precedent.

India has refused to sign non-proliferation agreements and has faced a nuclear trade ban since its first atomic test in 1974.

As per procedure, after the Congressional approval, the Bill had to be passed by the Senate for final clearance, and then the US President will sign it into law.

ANI