Nuclear Pact With India Approved By Senate

A Rare Foreign Policy Victory For Bush, Which Opponents Say Could Start An Arms Race

(AP)  U.S. senators voted Wednesday to overturn a three-decade ban on atomic trade with India, giving final congressional approval to a landmark U.S.-India nuclear cooperation accord and handing President Bush a rare foreign policy victory in his final months in office.

The Senate voted 86-13 to allow American businesses to begin selling nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India in exchange for safeguards and U.N. inspections at India's civilian, but not military, nuclear plants.

The accord, which the House of Representatives approved Saturday, marks a major shift in U.S. policy toward nuclear-armed India after decades of mutual wariness. It now goes to Mr. Bush for his signature.

President Bush hailed the Senate's vote, saying in a statement that the legislation approving the accord "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."

In India, the governing Congress party spokesman Veerappa Moily called the deal "a monumental achievement. It's a victory of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government."

Congressional approval caps an aggressive three-year diplomatic and political push by the Bush administration, which portrays the pact as the cornerstone of new ties with a democratic Asian power that has long maintained what administration officials consider a responsible nuclear program. Bush officials have also championed the opportunities for U.S. firms to do business in India's multibillion-dollar nuclear market.

Republican Sen. Richard Lugar said the pact protects U.S. national security and nonproliferation efforts while building "a strategic partnership with a nation that shares our democratic values and will exert increasing influence on the world stage."

"With a well-educated middle class that is larger than the entire U.S. population, India can be an anchor of stability in Asia and an engine of global economic growth," Lugar said.

Opponents say lawmakers, eager to leave Washington to campaign for November elections, rushed consideration of a complicated deal that would spark a nuclear arms race in Asia. The extra fuel the measure provides, they say, could boost India's nuclear bomb stockpile by freeing up its domestic fuel for weapons.

Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan said the accord "will almost certainly expand the production of nuclear weapons by India" and help dismantle the architecture of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the global agreement that provides civilian nuclear trade in exchange for a pledge from nations not to pursue nuclear weapons.

India built its bombs outside the NPT, which it refuses to sign. It has faced a nuclear trade ban since its first atomic test in 1974; its most recent nuclear test blast was in 1998.

Dorgan said the U.S. is telling the world that, like India, "you can misuse American nuclear technology and secretly develop nuclear weapons; you can test those weapons; you can build a nuclear arsenal in defiance of the United Nations resolutions, and you will be welcomed as someone exhibiting good behavior with an agreement with the United States of America."

"What message does that send to others who want to join the nuclear club?" Dorgan asked.

Rep. Ed Markey, a Democrat in the House, said: "Now that the nuclear rules have been broken for India's sake, Iran, Pakistan and North Korea will be looking for a way to similarly game the system."

The Senate rejected an amendment that called for the end of U.S. nuclear trade if India should detonate a nuclear device - an attempt to make sure U.S. nuclear exports do not help boost India's nuclear weapons program.

Lugar, opposing the amendment, noted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's past comments that the deal would be called off should India test nuclear weapons. The pact's benefits, he said, "are designed to be a lasting incentive for India to abstain from further nuclear weapons tests."

Mr. Bush and Singh announced their intention to pursue nuclear cooperation in July 2005. U.S. lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the deal in a conditional form in late 2006. It then overcame strong political opposition in India, where critics threatened to bring down Singh's government, denouncing the accord as a ploy to make India Washington's pawn.

It received a boost this month when the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group of countries that supply nuclear material and technology agreed to lift a ban on civilian nuclear trade with India - the final hurdle before Congress could consider it for final approval.

Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, said Congress has "swept several fundamental problems with the deal under the rug" - including India's continued production of bomb-grade nuclear material and refusal to join 180 other states in committing to a legally binding nuclear test ban.

Before nuclear trade could begin, Kimball said, India has to sign a safeguards agreement with the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency and a convention that extends protection to nuclear suppliers in case of a nuclear accident.

[spadeisspade]

Well, since we''re already sending all of our jobs over there...

[brianp55]

I approve of this agreement. India has exhibited almost saintly restraint in dealing with Pakistan. Furthermore, we are not selling them anything they don''t already have or can not purchase from the Europeans. Finally, this gives the US significant strategic leverage against China. Bout time GWB did something right.

[indianaman13]

If your setting up for WW III over oil and natural resources, we need India on our side (second largest population in the world) to help fight China and Russia (Combined the largest population and land covering empire on earth). Plus, geographically, India is very strategic to launch attacks into any region, whether North(Russia) East (China) or South ( Arab countries) Politicians know war is brewing, their hypocritical talks are aimed at just placating us. Just like they knew a financial crisis was coming but said everything was fine until it was a disaster. They want the shock value, and use it to motivate us in a direction they want. Look at all the legislation they slid in right after 9/11 giving more control to the Government.

[hypnotoad72]

"The Senate rejected an amendment that called for the end of U.S. nuclear trade if India should detonate a nuclear device - an attempt to make sure U.S. nuclear exports do not help boost India''s nuclear weapons program. "

While a small one, the control of the Senate by the Democrats adds to a certain... hypocrisy.

[legacyabq]

IBSTEVE2U
Man, you called it exactly..

At least India is peaceful though. They have proven to be responsible with nuclear power, as they have already had it for years. But this is how it works, ol'' Warren Buffet is no fool!

[questionnews]

At best they are useless ***.

At worst they are profoundly dangerous.

No one is safe when the House and the Senate are in session.

Posted by CBS_Oliver at 03:24 PM : Oct 02, 2008

They are not completely useless!
They still have a purpose in this world by serving as bad examples to be held up for everyone to see. Even the lowest of the low can still contribute.

[missingamerica]

I left part of the "one hand washes the other" out.

Ya should credit Warren Buffett with "god-like powers", though.

First, he invests $5 billion in to Goldman Sachs, Paulson''s alma mater, and helps stabilize the market to some extent.

Next he invests $3 billion into - guess who - GE, which builds an awful lot of nuclear technology.

And voila!

Couple days later, we''re going to be selling India all kinds of nuclear technology....

Magical how that works, ain''t it?

[missingamerica]

BTW-I am no Bush fan, but I''m not stupid enough to credit him with god-like powers.

Posted by Questionnews at 01:28 PM : Oct 02, 2008

Ya should credit Warren Buffett with "god-like powers", though.

He invests $3 billion into - guess who - GE, which builds an awful lot of nuclear technology.

And voila!

Couple days later, we''re going to be selling India all kinds of nuclear technology....

Magical how that works, ain''t it?

[tesseract1-2009]

Kashmir where there is already a conflict going on and terrorist activities going on. These people of Kashmir (majority Muslim) have close ties with Al-Qaeda and Talibans. It wont be long before a Muslim working in th government''''s Nuclear branch of India steals this technology and passes it over to people of Kashmir which will then end up in the hands of terrorist.

This is exactly how Dr. Abdul Kadeer got Nuclear technology for Pakistan from Holland back in the eighties.

Posted by FreeVoice

-----------------------

Hmmm!!! All your statements are true but

1. Why would the terrorists need technical knowledge of nuclear research? All they will be looking for is devices/bombs. You don''t expect the Al-Qaeda and Talibans to set up a Nuclear enrichment plants in Wazirestan!!!

2. And U.S. is not selling Enrichment technology to India as part of the deal just read the 123 draft.

[questionnews]

The vote in the Democrat controlled Senate was 86-13, so why is this a "Bush blunder?"

Posted by easeup at 12:53 PM : Oct 02, 2008


Shhhhhhhh! You are damaging the illusion that Bush is all powerful and makes all the decisions. For some, not being able to blame Bush for every ill on the planet would be devastating to their view of the world.

He didn''t really mean that folks!
CBS please delete his post!

BTW-I am no Bush fan, but I''m not stupid enough to credit him with god-like powers.

[obamagrls-bf]

remember Russia may be a competitor..but also a good friend.. as of now USA''s spsace station can only be reached by Russian space control and NASA''s missions are controlled by Russian astro-computers .... Russia''s nuclear technology is well advanced and they already have built hundreds of miisiles whose range is better than any other countries range ...

[tesseract1-2009]

Read the "Indians Worry About Christian Attacks" article first which makes this report bizarre to say the least.
Most off the attacks on Christians & their churches started when the nationalist BJP party started to gain popularity, so what happens if it eventually becomes the ruling party?

Posted by zwaggsy
----------
And you believe that when the Nationalist party comes to power it will just blow the rest of the world to kingdom come with this new nuclear knowhow!
India is having nuclear warheads and delivery systems for more than 3 decades now; And it needs them very much with China and Pakistan as its neighbours.
FYI: It certainly had them when the nationalist party was in power 4 years back.

The only thing this deal will do is make companies like GE and people like Ambani and lobbyist on both sides a few billion dollars richer. The average Indian is more concerned bout the rising inflation and fuel prices than as to how many freaking Nuclear Warheads they have.

[obamagrls-bf]

its good move for USA... Historically India is a close friend of Russia and they will be friends in future... India always had concerns with USA''s pakistan aid... Now USA has realized freindship with Pak has rusulted havoc.. alos the most important thing is with China and Russia presence USA have only options to have better ties with India.. And India follows a principle war is only an response to attack. Remember USA is the 1st democratic country and INDIA is the largest democratic country .. Both like free market... India and USA good for business.

[easeup-2009]

All those corporate lobbyists and Bush Administration has made us more unsafe. This will benefit corporations dealing in nuclear technology as they will get access to Indian markets. You will be naive to think that India will be able to keep the things safe and that it wont get into the hands of the terrorists.

Posted by FreeVoice at 12:47 PM : Oct 02, 2008

The vote in the Democrat controlled Senate was 86-13, so why is this a "Bush blunder?"

[freevoice-2009]

All those corporate lobbyists and Bush Administration has made us more unsafe. This will benefit corporations dealing in nuclear technology as they will get access to Indian markets. You will be naive to think that India will be able to keep the things safe and that it wont get into the hands of the terrorists.

[freevoice-2009]

Adding to my previous comment. This is exactly how Dr. Abdul Kadeer got Nuclear technology for Pakistan from Holland back in the eighties.

[freevoice-2009]

It wont be long before these nuclear technology that we will sell to India will get into hands of the terrorists like Al-Qaeda and Talibans. India has bigger Muslim population than Pakistan. This Indian muslim population has close ties with people in the region of Kashmir where there is already a conflict going on and terrorist activities going on. These people of Kashmir (majority Muslim) have close ties with Al-Qaeda and Talibans. It wont be long before a Muslim working in th government''s Nuclear branch of India steals this technology and passes it over to people of Kashmir which will then end up in the hands of terrorist.

Does Bush has any more blunders left in him before he leaves?

[redbds]

They will not nuke us, but will tranfer technology to Russia.
Just like China is Pakistan''''s close friend Russia is India''''s God Father.

Posted by TomFlint69 at 11:35 AM : Oct 02, 2008

Russia already has this stuff. That is a non-issue.

[indianaman13]

If your setting up for WW III over oil and natural resources, we need India on our side (second largest population in the world) to help fight China and Russia (Combined the largest population and land covering empire on earth). Plus, geographically, India is very strategic to launch attacks into any region, whether North(Russia) East (China) or South ( Arab countries) Politicians know war is brewing, their hypocritical talks are aimed at just placating us. Just like they knew a financial crisis was coming but said everything was fine until it was a disaster. They want the shock value, and use it to motivate us in a direction they want. Look at all the legislation they slid in right after 9/11 giving more control to the Government.

[edward1975-2009]

Kinda hypocritical of us to complain about Russia selling nuclear technology to others, then turn around and do it ourselves. A fact that I find pretty ironic is, the 5 members of the UN Security Council just happen to be the 5 leading arms dealers in the world. How''s that for providing global security.