WASHINGTON: The Bush administration this week is expected to begin laying out in more detail its plans to change U.S. and international rules so that India can acquire restricted nuclear materials under a controversial deal that some say undermines non-proliferation standards.

India improved its chances of having new rules approved when it voted (at the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting) with the United States and key European States last month to threaten Iran with referral to the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear activities.

But some members of the U.S. Congress remain deeply concerned that the U.S.-India deal, agreed in Washington on July 18, is too permissive and will advance, not stem, the spread of nuclear weapons.

Doubts

There are also doubts about whether India, which has a burgeoning strategic relationship with Teheran, ultimately will vote to send Iran's case to the Security Council, where sanctions could be imposed.

Several experts and congressional sources said New Delhi has not made a commitment on that issue, which could come up before the IAEA board of governors next month. — Reuters

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