The Hindu : Front Page : Historic, says Centre

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Friday, Oct 03, 2008
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Front Page

Historic, says Centre

Special Correspondent

Sonia Gandhi calls it “a landmark development”

It is a great opportunity for scientists: Sibal
Agreement is in
the best national
interest: Paswan

NEW DELHI: The government and the Congress on Thursday declared the passage of the India-U.S. civil nuclear cooperation by the U.S. Congress “historic’ and said it would address the nation’s energy and high technology requirements.

Complimenting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on standing firm, Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said Dr. Singh took the trust vote after the Left parties withdrew support firm in the belief that this decision would impact generations to come and meet the country’s needs for energy and growth.

“It is a great opportunity for scientists in general and nuclear scientists in particular. Industry and commerce will also benefit from this development far in excess of our expectations. As technology advances any technology will be for dual use. Otherwise, we would have remained isolated and away from the mainstream of technology,” Mr. Sibal said.

Asked about the implications of the final Act as passed by the Congress, he said New Delhi would be bound only by the bilateral 123 Agreement it signed with Washington.

He said just as any Act of the Indian Parliament could not bind the American people, India would not be bound by the Act of the U.S. Congress.

Pat for Manmohan

Congratulating Dr. Singh, Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Ramvilas Paswan said the agreement was in the best national interest and concluded successfully after tireless efforts by the Prime Minister and Indian officials.

He said the conclusion of the agreement ended India’s 34-year exclusion from the elite nuclear club and would allow the country access to nuclear technology, which would go a long way in securing its energy needs.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi described it as a “landmark development” and said it marked the successful culmination of a process initiated by the Prime Minister in July 2005, “a process which, guided by India’s supreme national interest, the Congress party has throughout endorsed.”

She said it was an acknowledgement of India’s impeccable credentials and paved the way for India’s integration into global mainstream. “This agreement will be mutually rewarding for India and the international community and shall help in addressing the twin challenges of energy security and climate change,” she said.

Terming the passage of the Act a “historic moment,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said it was a cause for celebration.

Mr. Singhvi said no other country had been allowed to import uranium and nuclear reactors without signing either the CTBT or the NPT.

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