India will have 'advance consent' to reprocessing: Bush

Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington, Oct 9 (PTI) India can count on reliable fuel
supply for its civilian nuclear reactors and will have
"advance consent" to reprocessing, President George W. Bush
declared here as he signed into law the legislation on the
"big" Indo-U.S. nuclear deal.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will ink the
123 Agreement with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Friday evening (0130 hrs I.S.T. Saturday), concluding the deal
after tough negotiations spanning three years.

"It's a big deal," Bush said in a statement during the
signing ceremony for the HR7081 bill at the White House's
ornate East Room, adding "we (India and the U.S.) are natural
partners as we head into the 21st century."

"This legislation does not change the fuel assurance
commitments that the U.S. government has made to the
Government of India as recorded in the 123 Agreement," he
said.

Bush's remarks came against the backdrop of concerns
expressed by India over fuel supplies following his
Administration's assertion that the assurances were only
political commitments and not legally binding.

"The Agreement grants India advance consent to
reprocessing which will be brought into effect upon conclusion
of arrangements and procedures for a dedicated reprocessing
facility under I.A.E.A. safeguards," Bush said.

The U.S. President has "exceeded our expectations on each
and every issue" and has contributed in an "extraordinary
manner," Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Ronen Sen, told
reporters, describing the law as a "new beginning" in
bilateral ties.

"By undertaking new cooperation on civil nuclear energy,
India will be able to count on a reliable fuel supply for its
civilian reactors, meet the energy demands of its people and
reduce its independence on fossil fuels," Bush said.

"For our part, the U.S. will gain access to a growing
market for civilian nuclear technologies and materials that
will help American businesses create more jobs for our people
here at home," he said in a speech which was repeatedly
applauded by the distinguished gathering of about 200 guests,
including Indian-American leaders.

The new law reverses 34 years of New Delhi's nuclear
isolation by the U.S. and will pave the way for American
businesses to have a share of India's over 100 billion dollar
nuclear pie.

Both Bush and First Lady Laura used the occasion to
extend Diwali greetings to the Indian people. "Laura and I
send our best wishes to the hundreds of millions of people in
India and around the world who will begin celebrating the
ancient festival of Diwali later this month," the President
said amid loud applause.

"As we offer our prayers for a happy New Year, we can be
thankful that the relationship between the U.S. and India has
never been more vibrant and more hopeful," Bush said before
signing the U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and
Non-proliferation Enhancement Act.
India and the United States, he said, will cooperate more
closely to keep the world's "most dangerous weapons" out of
the hands of extremists and terrorists.

"The legislation does not change the terms of the 123
Agreement as I submitted it to the Congress. That Agreement is
consistent with the Atomic Energy Act and other elements of
U.S. law," Bush said.

"This legislation is important as it enables me to bring
the 123 Agreement into force and to accept on behalf of the
United States the obligations contained in the Agreement," he
said.

Bush described the passage of the bill by U.S. Congress
as a "milestone" in achieving the vision set by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and himself in July 2005 of transforming the
bilateral ties.

Savouring a major foreign policy success in the fag end
of his second and final term, the President said he had the
"honour" of signing the legislation "that builds on the
growing ties between the world's two largest democracies."

"I am pleased to sign into law the United States-India
Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement
Act, which approves the U.S.-India 123 Agreement," he said.

Bush said the agreement sends a signal to the world that
nations following the path to democracy and responsible
behaviour will find a friend in the U.S.

Among the distinguished guests present at the signing
ceremony were Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State
Rice, Energy Secretary Sam Bodman, Senators Chris Dodd and
John Warner, Congressmen Joe Crowley and Elliot Engel and
Indian Ambassador Sen.