US-India nuclear deal set to be approved by Congress

Dec 8, 2006, 0:44 GMT

Washington - The US Congress is expected to pave the way for a landmark nuclear cooperation deal between the US and India with a final vote expected Friday.

The Senate and House of Representatives reached agreement Thursday on a joint bill.

The legislation will allow the US to sell nuclear fuel and reactors to India despite the Asian nation not being a part of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Both houses of Congress earlier this year approved different versions of a bill authorizing the deal, and a negotiating committe reconciled the bills on Thursday, setting up Friday's vote.

Democratic Representative Tom Lantos welcomed Thursday's agreement between legislators of both chambers, calling it the 'latest step in a long and sometimes arduous legislative process (that) has resulted in a satisfying consensus.'

'This will be of immense importance to global security and economic development, while at the same time furthering our interests in limiting the spread of nuclear weapons,' said Lantos, who is set to become chairman of the House International Relations Committee in January.

US law does not currently allow the transfer of nuclear technology to countries that have not signed up to the NPT, and Congress had sought assurances that the deal will not help India's nuclear weapons programme.

India paved the way for an agreement in March by agreeing to separate its civilian and weapons programmes in order to comply with Congressional demands.

US President George W Bush has strongly backed the deal - first proposed in the summer of 2005 - and made it a priority for legislation to be passed before the end of the year. The last possible day for the bill to be passed is Friday, after which Congress goes into recess for the year-end holidays.

India first detonated a nuclear device in 1998 but has refused to submit its programme to the checks and restraints outlined by the NPT. The test triggered US sanctions against India, which were lifted early in Bush's presidency.

The landmark nuclear deal signified the strong ties that have developed between the United States and India after decades of frosty relations during the Cold War, when New Delhi was friendly with the Soviet Union.

Critics within the arms-control community say the deal could undermine efforts to halt the proliferation of nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea and terrorist groups.