The U.S. agreement on civil nuclear cooperation permits American businesses to sell 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 signing of legislation, which approves U.S.-Indian civilian nuclear cooperation, is the result of three years of work by Indian officials and the Bush administration. The president said the measure would build on the growing ties between the world’s two largest democracies, the United States and India.
“This agreement sends a signal to the world: Nations that follow the path to democracy and responsible behavior will find a friend in the United States of America,” Bush said.
By signing the authorizing legislation, Bush is required to certify that the agreement with India is consistent with U.S. obligations under the treaty, an accord designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. He must also certify that it is U.S. policy to cooperate with international efforts to further restrict transfers of technology related to uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel.
Critics in India argue the constraints compromise their country’s right to conduct nuclear tests. Some private U.S. arms control experts say the deal is likely to speed up nuclear arms competition in Asia. Reiterating apprehensions that the deal would entail “huge costs” for India, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat said “the legislation signed by President 
Bush into law is nothing but a Hyde Act plus law. The clarifications given by Bush about fuel supply assurance and advance consent for reprocessing are not worth anything.” He maintained that the law passed by the US 0043 Congress will dictate implementation of the agreement and Mr Bush’s term ends in four months.
Meanwhile, the Congress hailed the signing of bill into law by Mr Bush and said that the Indian nuclear programme would be intact and future generations will not face power shortage.
