Bush to sign U.S.-India nuclear bill

www.chinaview.cn 2008-10-08 05:45:57  

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) --

U.S. President George W. Bush will sign into law on Wednesday a bill approved by Congress allowing civilian U.S. nuclear trade with India, Bush's spokesman Carlton Carroll said Tuesday.

    "The president looks forward to signing this bill into law and continuing to strengthen the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership," Carroll said in a statement.

    "This legislation will strengthen our global nuclear nonproliferation efforts, protect the environment, create jobs, and assist India in meeting its growing energy needs in a responsible manner."

    U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, and India's ambassador to Washington Ronen Sen are expected to attend the ceremony.

    Washington and New Delhi reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation in March 2006, under which India will get access to U.S. civil nuclear technology on condition that India is to separate nuclear facilities for civilian and military use and open its nuclear facilities for inspection.

    Following India's approval of the deal in July, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the agreement on Sept. 27. Prior to the approvals, the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) agreed early this month to lift a nuclear trade embargo on India.

    On Aug. 1, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreed to sign a nuclear safeguards agreement with India, a move seen as giving the green light to India-U.S. nuclear cooperation.

U.S. Senate approves India nuclear agreement

www.chinaview.cn 2008-10-02 08:57:43  

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) --

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to approve a deal to end the three-decade ban on nuclear trade with India.

    The legislation, which was approved by 86-13, is now sent to President George W. Bush for signing into law. The House of Representatives has already approved the pact.

    The deal, considered a key part of Bush's foreign policy legacy, was a step the Bush administration's believes will secure a strategic partnership with India.

    Critics, however, blamed the deal as one that would deal a blow to global efforts to contain the spread of nuclear weapon as it will give green light to India to import nuclear fuel and technology.

    Washington and New Delhi reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation in March 2006, under which India will get access to U.S. civil nuclear technology on condition that India is to separate nuclear facilities for civilian and military use and open its nuclear facilities for inspection.

    Following India's approval of the deal in July, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the agreement on Sept. 27. Prior to the approvals, the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) agreed in early September to lift a nuclear trade embargo against India.

    On Aug. 1, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreed to sign a nuclear safeguards agreement with India, a move seen as giving the green light to India-U.S. nuclear cooperation.

Editor: Jiang Yuxia

U.S. House of Representatives approves nuclear deal with India

www.chinaview.cn 2008-09-28 06:57:52  

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) --

The U.S. House of Representatives approved on Saturday a civilian nuclear agreement that will put an end to the three-decade ban on American nuclear trade with India.

    "Today's approval by the House of the U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement furthers our countries' strategic relationship while balancing nuclear non-proliferation concerns and India's growing energy needs," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

    "The legislation recognizes India's past support for non-proliferation initiatives and strengthens congressional oversight of any future U.S. decision to assist India's civilian nuclear program," she said.

    The agreement, passed by a 298-117 vote in the House, is yet to be approved by the Senate.

    U.S. President George W. Bush, who met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Thursday, said that his administration is working hard for the approval of U.S.-India nuclear agreement.

    "Civil nuclear cooperation between the U.S. and India pursuant to the agreement will offer major strategic and economic benefits to both countries," the White House said in a statement to Congress before the vote.

    Washington and New Delhi reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation in March 2006, under which India will get access to U.S. civil nuclear technology on condition that India is to separate nuclear facilities for civilian and military use and open its nuclear facilities for inspection.

    The nuclear deal, considered a key part of Bush's foreign policy legacy, is designed to solidify Washington's relationship with a fast-emerging economic power.

Editor: Yan