The Hindu : Front Page : U.S. Senate gives the nod for nuclear deal

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Saturday, Nov 18, 2006
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U.S. Senate gives the nod for nuclear deal

Sridhar Krishnaswami

Bill adopted by 85-12 margin by 100-member Republican-controlled Senate; 5 "killer" amendments rejected

Washington: The landmark India-United States civilian nuclear deal on Friday crossed a major hurdle, with the Senate overwhelmingly approving legislation to implement it and rejecting five "killer" amendments, including one seeking a cap on India's fissile material production.

The Bill was adopted 85-12 by the 100-member Republican-controlled Senate after an intense daylong debate, handing President George W. Bush an important diplomatic victory.

The nuclear agreement, clinched on March 2 during Mr. Bush's India visit, will allow the U.S. to have civilian nuclear trade and technology with India and pave the way for the international community to have nuclear cooperation with the country.

An agreement for the deal was reached between Mr. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on July 18 last year.

An exception

The bill makes an exception in the law to allow American civilian nuclear trade with countries which have not allowed full international inspections.

The bipartisan support to the deal came after the Senate rejected the "killer" amendments, including a mandatory commitment by India to stop making nuclear bomb materials and to sever military links with Iran. The "killer amendments" went down rather tamely.

For the deal to take effect, the Senate version now has to be reconciled with the House version that was cleared some time back in a Conference Committee. Both chambers will now have to approve the legislation in its final form prior to the end of the session in the middle of December.

The Nuclear Suppliers Group will also have to make an exception for India, which has to negotiate a safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Richard Lugar, who moved the legislation with ranking Democrat Joseph Biden, called the deal the "most important diplomatic strategic initiative" by Mr. Bush.

"It is an opportunity to build a vital, strategic partnership with a nation that shares our democratic values and will exert increasing influence on the world stage. We should move forward now," Mr. Lugar said. — PTI

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