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Mulford hopeful of Senate nod for bill

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The United States Ambassador, David C.Mulford, on Friday termed the civilian nuclear agreement between his country and India the most important diplomatic initiative in the past 50 years.

The accord, once ratified by the Senate, would end India's isolation among the nuclear nations and signal a new beginning in cooperation between New Delhi and Washington, he said.

Participating in a `Meet the Press' at the Pink City Press Club here on Friday, Mr. Mulford was hopeful that the Senate would pass the pending amendment bill on the agreement by this year end. "The Senate has to pass it before the House adjourns for mid-term elections. There is a short session of Congress either in late November or early December. In January we will have a now House." The House of Representatives had passed it.

"The U.S. is going to make a special exception for India, a very important country in the world in the 21st century; A major world power," he said.

To a question, he said a similar gesture would not be made in the case of Pakistan. "India is a leading country in terms of nuclear technology. The law being changed in the U.S. is for India only."

On why this special "consideration" to India, Mr. Mulford said India had a history of "internal development" of nuclear technology.

Good control

India had good control over its nuclear technology in the past. Unlike Pakistan, it did not share its technology with other countries, it was pointed out. The public opinion in the U.S. as well as in India favoured the agreement.

Asked about the alleged role of the U.S. in the removal of former External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh from the Cabinet, he replied in the negative. "It was a matter between the United Nations and the Government of India. America had no role in it."

The Ambassador envisaged the U.S.-India relationship blossoming into a major strategic alliance in every major sphere of life — science, space, agriculture, military, exchanges, sales, CEO forum and even in the political area.

Import of technology and joint exercises were taking place in the military area.

The agreement signed by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee last year was a very significant turning point in defence cooperation, he pointed out.

Agriculture cooperation

Mr. Mulford also called for a "new generation cooperation" in agriculture.

To a query, Mr. Mulford denied that the U.S.' policies were making it unpopular among the third world countries. Some of the decisions, including the one to invade Iraq, could have made the U.S. unpopular among some nations.

"Iraq generated a lot of strong feelings," he noted.

However, surveys, including ones in India in the recent past, indicated that majority of the people supported the U.S.' actions.

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