New Delhi: Upbeat about the endorsement on Tuesday of a Bill on nuclear cooperation with India by a key U.S. Congressional panel, senior officials here said a "major hurdle" in the implementation of the July 2005 nuclear deal had been crossed.

A senior official, however, cautioned, "We are not quite there yet," as the Bill still has to be passed by Congress and the Senate. "But our estimation is that this will be the most difficult stage — to ensure that the proposed change of law contains no conditions that we cannot accept. And we have managed that."

A "killer" amendment

Barring a "killer" amendment on the floor of the House, the official said the "operational parts" of the Bill, in its current form, allow the U.S. President to waive restrictions on nuclear cooperation on the basis of a "template" that is consistent with India's obligations under the July 2005 joint statement and its subsequent plan for the separation of civilian and military nuclear facilities.

The official conceded that the draft law also had other elements, including a statement by Congress on what the policies towards India should be. They include getting India to assist in isolating and even sanctioning Iran and to join the Proliferation Security Initiative.

"Certainly we find the language in the Bill intrusive and even offensive. But it is of little consequence as far as we are concerned. Whatever their expectations, we are not going to be bound by anything that goes beyond the July 2005 statement and the separation plan."

These "expectations" had been "tagged on" to the Bill to allow Congressmen feel that their "pet themes" have been included.

That each of the amendments moved in the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives was "quite handsomely defeated" was significant, the official said. The Bill sailed through with 37 votes to 5.

"Our expectation is that the vote in the overall House will reflect this broad bipartisan support. As for the Senate, the position there is generally expected to be even better."

Citing the vote as an evidence of the growing importance attached in the U.S. political and official circles to relations with India, the official said he was confident that both Houses would pass the law in its current form before they go into recess in August.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail