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Senate backs India nuclear deal | Senate backs India nuclear deal |
(20 minutes later) | |
The US Senate has overwhelmingly voted to pass a controversial deal to share civilian nuclear technology with India. | The US Senate has overwhelmingly voted to pass a controversial deal to share civilian nuclear technology with India. |
Under the deal, which was proposed more than a year ago, India must allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities. | Under the deal, which was proposed more than a year ago, India must allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities. |
US President George W Bush hailed the move as bringing India into the "nuclear non-proliferation mainstream". | US President George W Bush hailed the move as bringing India into the "nuclear non-proliferation mainstream". |
However, the bill still has to clear a number of hurdles before it becomes law and is implemented. | However, the bill still has to clear a number of hurdles before it becomes law and is implemented. |
One condition would require India to fully and actively participate in efforts to contain Iran's nuclear programme. | One condition would require India to fully and actively participate in efforts to contain Iran's nuclear programme. |
The Senate bill and a version passed by the House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Congress, must now be reconciled and approved by Mr Bush before the legislation can take effect. | The Senate bill and a version passed by the House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Congress, must now be reconciled and approved by Mr Bush before the legislation can take effect. |
"As India's economy continues to grow, this partnership will help India meet its energy needs without increasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Bush said. | "As India's economy continues to grow, this partnership will help India meet its energy needs without increasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Bush said. |
The Senate adopted the bill by 85 votes to 12 after a series of proposed amendments - which India had opposed - were defeated. | |
There had been strong opposition to the deal because of fears it could encourage the spread of nuclear weapons. | There had been strong opposition to the deal because of fears it could encourage the spread of nuclear weapons. |
India's Foreign Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the passage of the bill, saying it reflected "very broad bipartisan support". | India's Foreign Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the passage of the bill, saying it reflected "very broad bipartisan support". |
Obstacles | Obstacles |
The deal is a "lasting incentive" for India not to test nuclear weapons and "to co-operate closely with the United States in stopping proliferation", Senator Richard Lugar said as the Senate debate began. | The deal is a "lasting incentive" for India not to test nuclear weapons and "to co-operate closely with the United States in stopping proliferation", Senator Richard Lugar said as the Senate debate began. |
Mid-term fallout on deal | Mid-term fallout on deal |
Correspondents say that once the legislation is eventually approved, the initiative will overturn decades of US anti-proliferation policy. | Correspondents say that once the legislation is eventually approved, the initiative will overturn decades of US anti-proliferation policy. |
But several obstacles loom before the two countries can begin trade in civilian nuclear materials. | But several obstacles loom before the two countries can begin trade in civilian nuclear materials. |
India would need to get approval for the deal from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an assembly of nations that export nuclear material. | India would need to get approval for the deal from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an assembly of nations that export nuclear material. |
Delhi would also need to negotiate a safeguard agreement with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). | Delhi would also need to negotiate a safeguard agreement with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). |
There is also some concern about the transfer of missile technology to Iran by at least two Indian firms, recently black-listed by the US government. | There is also some concern about the transfer of missile technology to Iran by at least two Indian firms, recently black-listed by the US government. |
India's interests | India's interests |
Once those hurdles have been overcome, technical negotiations would need to be completed between the two countries before Congress holds another vote on the deal. | Once those hurdles have been overcome, technical negotiations would need to be completed between the two countries before Congress holds another vote on the deal. |
Overall, the agreement has enjoyed strong bipartisan support among US lawmakers. | Overall, the agreement has enjoyed strong bipartisan support among US lawmakers. |
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill with an overwhelming majority. | Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill with an overwhelming majority. |
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh strongly defended the deal in the parliament in August. | Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh strongly defended the deal in the parliament in August. |
He said India would not accept any move by Washington that would impede its atomic weapons programme, nor would it allow any international scrutiny of its military facilities. | He said India would not accept any move by Washington that would impede its atomic weapons programme, nor would it allow any international scrutiny of its military facilities. |
But Mr Singh also argued that the deal was in India's interests. | But Mr Singh also argued that the deal was in India's interests. |
He said mass poverty could only be removed by a fast expanding economy, which in turn needed energy. | He said mass poverty could only be removed by a fast expanding economy, which in turn needed energy. |