India's Nuclear Agreement
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nitesh
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US Senate to take up N-deal vote on Wednesday-USA-World-The Times of India
US Senate to take up N-deal vote on Wednesday
1 Oct 2008, 1102 hrs IST, CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA,TNN
WASHINGTON: With no hint of irony, the United States Senate will vote on legislation consecrating the US-India civilian nuclear agreement on Gandhi Jayanti day in India. ( Watch ) The Senate has scheduled the legislation for a 10 am (7.30 pm IST) consideration on Wednesday, October 1, but voting will take place only after sundown (which will be October 2 in India) because of the Jewish festival of Rosh Hoshanna, Congressional sources said.
The Senate is expected to approve the agreement despite lingering reservation from some lawmakers still being primed by the non-proliferation lobby which has made killing the deal the focal point of its existence for the past three years.
But in a measure of how much the Bush administration prizes the deal as the centerpiece of Washington’s strategic ties with New Delhi, senior administration officials have persuaded the Senate to take up the vote alongside the financial bail-out debate and vote taking place on the same day.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reportedly pleaded with Senate stalwarts to give final approval for the deal before her scheduled visit to New Delhi on October 3. US and Indian industry and business leaders and Indian-American community veterans also pitched in to coax the Senate -- where an overwhelming majority supports the deal -- to take up the matter.
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid, relented, announcing that the chamber would take up the US-India nuclear agreement legislation, including two amendments -- dealing with US responses to an Indian nuclear test -- aimed at mollifying opponents to the deal.
At least one Senator had threatened to block the vote if a punitive US response was not reiterated in the legislation.
According to the Associated Press, one of the amendments enjoin that in the event of an Indian nuclear test, the US president has to certify that no American technology or material supplied under the accord was used in the explosion. Another draft amendment would stop U.S. nuclear trade if India tests.
At first sight, neither amendment appears to be a radically change the strictures contained in the Hyde Act or the 123 agreement, which also offers the caveat of mitigating circumstances and a window of consultancy before punitive action is imposed -- if India should test.
Besides the Rice visit to India, the US industry and its patrons in the establishment were also galvanized to work for closure on the deal by the quick developments in France during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit there over the weekend, when the business-hungry French enterprises pushed ahead with seeking early entry into India in the nuclear sector. Their American counterparts have been impressing on US lawmakers that any delay in Congress giving final approval to the deal will only hurt US businesses.
But Indian critics say the final legislation, if and when approved, will be far removed from the content and intent of the July 18, 2005 statement signed between President Bush and Prime Minister Singh. That statement said, ''India would reciprocally agree that it would be ready to assume the same responsibilities and practices and acquire the same benefits and advantages as other leading countries with advanced nuclear technology, such as the United States.''
US lawmakers have tried to contain or deny many of the benefits and advantages New Delhi anticipated through the deal, but Indian officials have said they are bound only by the joint statement and the 123 agreement and domestic US law is not relevant in bilateral relations.
But even the final mangled deal is something the Bush administration will cherish in its final weeks in office because it counts developing close strategic ties with India, backed by bipartisan support, as one of its signal foreign policy successes.
''It would be a way to solidify what has been an extraordinary period in which US-Indian relations have reached the kind of deepening that is really appropriate for two of the world's largest and great democracies,'' Rice told reporters at the State Department on Tuesday.
US Senate to take up N-deal vote on Wednesday
1 Oct 2008, 1102 hrs IST, CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA,TNN
WASHINGTON: With no hint of irony, the United States Senate will vote on legislation consecrating the US-India civilian nuclear agreement on Gandhi Jayanti day in India. ( Watch ) The Senate has scheduled the legislation for a 10 am (7.30 pm IST) consideration on Wednesday, October 1, but voting will take place only after sundown (which will be October 2 in India) because of the Jewish festival of Rosh Hoshanna, Congressional sources said.
The Senate is expected to approve the agreement despite lingering reservation from some lawmakers still being primed by the non-proliferation lobby which has made killing the deal the focal point of its existence for the past three years.
But in a measure of how much the Bush administration prizes the deal as the centerpiece of Washington’s strategic ties with New Delhi, senior administration officials have persuaded the Senate to take up the vote alongside the financial bail-out debate and vote taking place on the same day.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reportedly pleaded with Senate stalwarts to give final approval for the deal before her scheduled visit to New Delhi on October 3. US and Indian industry and business leaders and Indian-American community veterans also pitched in to coax the Senate -- where an overwhelming majority supports the deal -- to take up the matter.
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid, relented, announcing that the chamber would take up the US-India nuclear agreement legislation, including two amendments -- dealing with US responses to an Indian nuclear test -- aimed at mollifying opponents to the deal.
At least one Senator had threatened to block the vote if a punitive US response was not reiterated in the legislation.
According to the Associated Press, one of the amendments enjoin that in the event of an Indian nuclear test, the US president has to certify that no American technology or material supplied under the accord was used in the explosion. Another draft amendment would stop U.S. nuclear trade if India tests.
At first sight, neither amendment appears to be a radically change the strictures contained in the Hyde Act or the 123 agreement, which also offers the caveat of mitigating circumstances and a window of consultancy before punitive action is imposed -- if India should test.
Besides the Rice visit to India, the US industry and its patrons in the establishment were also galvanized to work for closure on the deal by the quick developments in France during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit there over the weekend, when the business-hungry French enterprises pushed ahead with seeking early entry into India in the nuclear sector. Their American counterparts have been impressing on US lawmakers that any delay in Congress giving final approval to the deal will only hurt US businesses.
But Indian critics say the final legislation, if and when approved, will be far removed from the content and intent of the July 18, 2005 statement signed between President Bush and Prime Minister Singh. That statement said, ''India would reciprocally agree that it would be ready to assume the same responsibilities and practices and acquire the same benefits and advantages as other leading countries with advanced nuclear technology, such as the United States.''
US lawmakers have tried to contain or deny many of the benefits and advantages New Delhi anticipated through the deal, but Indian officials have said they are bound only by the joint statement and the 123 agreement and domestic US law is not relevant in bilateral relations.
But even the final mangled deal is something the Bush administration will cherish in its final weeks in office because it counts developing close strategic ties with India, backed by bipartisan support, as one of its signal foreign policy successes.
''It would be a way to solidify what has been an extraordinary period in which US-Indian relations have reached the kind of deepening that is really appropriate for two of the world's largest and great democracies,'' Rice told reporters at the State Department on Tuesday.
nitesh
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Interesting, this should solve some questions about fuel reprocessing:
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/FDA0EEC059363F75652574D400534739?OpenDocument
'French firms may have to wait for N-trade with India'
G Sudhakar Nair
Paris, Sep 30 (PTI) India today indicated it may take some time before French companies can actually start nuclear trade to get a slice of its USD 100 billion nuclear pie.
Shortly after a bilateral pact on nuclear cooperation was inked in presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Atomic Energy Commission chief Anil Kakodkar said the cost factor will determine whether India will go for Pressurised Water Reactors (PWR) or the EPR, which are third-generation PWRs, for its atomic power programme.
Asked how soon can French nuclear companies expect to win contracts, Kakodkar said there were some parallel processes which needed to be followed like having additional protocols in India-specific IAEA safeguards.
French nuclear giants like Areva, Alstorm and EDF appear keen to do business with India in this field.
To a question, Kakodkar said civil nuclear cooperation can be carried out with other countries without having to amend the country's Atomic Energy Act.
The issue of fuel reprocessing and enrichment will be within the parameters of nuclear fuel cycle management envisaged under the agreement, he said, adding indigenous technologies were available for reprocessing spent fuel.
Kakodkar was evasive when asked whether India and Russia would sign a nuclear pact on the lines of the Indo-French inter-governmental agreement during the planned visit of Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev to India towards the end of this year. "We cannot fix a time-line," he said. PTI
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/FDA0EEC059363F75652574D400534739?OpenDocument
'French firms may have to wait for N-trade with India'
G Sudhakar Nair
Paris, Sep 30 (PTI) India today indicated it may take some time before French companies can actually start nuclear trade to get a slice of its USD 100 billion nuclear pie.
Shortly after a bilateral pact on nuclear cooperation was inked in presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Atomic Energy Commission chief Anil Kakodkar said the cost factor will determine whether India will go for Pressurised Water Reactors (PWR) or the EPR, which are third-generation PWRs, for its atomic power programme.
Asked how soon can French nuclear companies expect to win contracts, Kakodkar said there were some parallel processes which needed to be followed like having additional protocols in India-specific IAEA safeguards.
French nuclear giants like Areva, Alstorm and EDF appear keen to do business with India in this field.
To a question, Kakodkar said civil nuclear cooperation can be carried out with other countries without having to amend the country's Atomic Energy Act.
The issue of fuel reprocessing and enrichment will be within the parameters of nuclear fuel cycle management envisaged under the agreement, he said, adding indigenous technologies were available for reprocessing spent fuel.
Kakodkar was evasive when asked whether India and Russia would sign a nuclear pact on the lines of the Indo-French inter-governmental agreement during the planned visit of Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev to India towards the end of this year. "We cannot fix a time-line," he said. PTI
shrivatsa
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The much-touted and widely debated Indo-US nuclear deal cleared its last legislative hurdle early Thursday morning, as US Senate passed it after a two-and-a-half-hour debate, with members from across the political divide supporting the landmark accord. In the 100-member Senate, 86 members voted for the deal, while 13 opposed it. Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain and Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden also participated in the voting. [0733 hrs IST]
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best gift for Gandhi jayanthi.It will be signed on oct 3 when Condolica rice visits Delhi
Breaking News Online, Current News, Latest News, News Headlines, Top News
best gift for Gandhi jayanthi.It will be signed on oct 3 when Condolica rice visits Delhi
Goodperson
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So the deal ot approved by 86% vote ? Anyway simple majority would have been fine.
Best Gift for Gandhi Jayanti And Eid.
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US Senate passes Indo-US civilian nuclear deal
Press Trust of India
Thursday, October 02, 2008, (Washington)
US Senators have given their seal of approval to the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement in the Senate following the conclusion of the voting on this issue.
An overwhelming 86 Senators vote for the deal, while 13 oppose it. Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain and Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden also participate in the voting.
The Senate also rejected the killer amendments introduced by Democratic Senators Byron Dorgan and Jeff Bingaman to ensure that the US nuclear exports to India do not help boost New Delhi's nuclear weapons programme.
With the 100-member Senate approving the Bill, the Indo-US civil nuclear deal is now ready for signing between the two countries. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was slated to arrive in New Delhi on October 2, has reportedly rescheduled her visit and is expected on Saturday.
Rice may ink the agreement with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a feat that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush could not achieve when they met at the White House on Friday last.
NDTV.com: US Senate passes Indo-US civilian nuclear deal
Press Trust of India
Thursday, October 02, 2008, (Washington)
US Senators have given their seal of approval to the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement in the Senate following the conclusion of the voting on this issue.
An overwhelming 86 Senators vote for the deal, while 13 oppose it. Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain and Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden also participate in the voting.
The Senate also rejected the killer amendments introduced by Democratic Senators Byron Dorgan and Jeff Bingaman to ensure that the US nuclear exports to India do not help boost New Delhi's nuclear weapons programme.
With the 100-member Senate approving the Bill, the Indo-US civil nuclear deal is now ready for signing between the two countries. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was slated to arrive in New Delhi on October 2, has reportedly rescheduled her visit and is expected on Saturday.
Rice may ink the agreement with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a feat that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush could not achieve when they met at the White House on Friday last.
NDTV.com: US Senate passes Indo-US civilian nuclear deal
Goodperson
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Pakistan too wants deal
Pakistan PM eyes nuclear deal after India-U.S. pact
Thu Oct 2, 2008 5:06am EDT
By Asim Tanveer
MULTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - India's landmark nuclear trade agreement with the United States should open the way for a similar deal for Pakistan, the country's prime minister said on Thursday.
The U.S. Congress approved the deal late on Wednesday ending a three-decade ban on U.S. nuclear trade with India, unleashing billions of dollars of investment and drawing the world's biggest democracy closer to the West.
Critics say the deal does grave damage to global efforts to contain the spread of nuclear weapons, by letting India import nuclear fuel and technology even though it has tested nuclear weapons and never signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
In nuclear-armed Pakistan, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the deal should not be seen as a cause for concern.
"You don't have to be worried about it," Gilani told reporters in his home town of Multan when asked about the deal.
Pakistan has fought three wars with India since their independence in 1947 and nearly went to war a fourth time in 2002. Their relations have improved since they began a peace process in early 2004.
"Pakistan will now be justified to also make a demand for a similar deal as we don't want discrimination," Gilani said.
"Pakistan will also now make efforts for a civil nuclear (deal) and they will have to accommodate us," he said.
Pakistan tested nuclear weapons in May 1998 in a tit-for-tat response to tests by India. Pakistan has also never signed up to the NPT.
Pakistan is one of the biggest recipients of U.S. aid and is a major ally in the U.S.-led campaign against militancy.
But in U.S. eyes, Pakistan cannot be treated like India because it lacks a long track record of democracy and nuclear non-proliferation.
A ring led by the scientist seen as the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, Abdul Qadeer Khan, smuggled bomb-suitable nuclear technology to unstable regions before it was smashed in 2004.
(Writing by Augustine Anthony; Editing by Robert Birsel and Sanjeev Miglani)
Pakistan PM eyes nuclear deal after India-U.S. pact | Reuters
Pakistan PM eyes nuclear deal after India-U.S. pact
Thu Oct 2, 2008 5:06am EDT
By Asim Tanveer
MULTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - India's landmark nuclear trade agreement with the United States should open the way for a similar deal for Pakistan, the country's prime minister said on Thursday.
The U.S. Congress approved the deal late on Wednesday ending a three-decade ban on U.S. nuclear trade with India, unleashing billions of dollars of investment and drawing the world's biggest democracy closer to the West.
Critics say the deal does grave damage to global efforts to contain the spread of nuclear weapons, by letting India import nuclear fuel and technology even though it has tested nuclear weapons and never signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
In nuclear-armed Pakistan, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the deal should not be seen as a cause for concern.
"You don't have to be worried about it," Gilani told reporters in his home town of Multan when asked about the deal.
Pakistan has fought three wars with India since their independence in 1947 and nearly went to war a fourth time in 2002. Their relations have improved since they began a peace process in early 2004.
"Pakistan will now be justified to also make a demand for a similar deal as we don't want discrimination," Gilani said.
"Pakistan will also now make efforts for a civil nuclear (deal) and they will have to accommodate us," he said.
Pakistan tested nuclear weapons in May 1998 in a tit-for-tat response to tests by India. Pakistan has also never signed up to the NPT.
Pakistan is one of the biggest recipients of U.S. aid and is a major ally in the U.S.-led campaign against militancy.
But in U.S. eyes, Pakistan cannot be treated like India because it lacks a long track record of democracy and nuclear non-proliferation.
A ring led by the scientist seen as the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, Abdul Qadeer Khan, smuggled bomb-suitable nuclear technology to unstable regions before it was smashed in 2004.
(Writing by Augustine Anthony; Editing by Robert Birsel and Sanjeev Miglani)
Pakistan PM eyes nuclear deal after India-U.S. pact | Reuters
Goodperson
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But the Bill still needs to be cleared in Congress.
I agree with Neo Pakistan will eventually get deal with China, Pakistan is also highly energy deficient country, The barriers will break more nations will realize the need of such deals.
I agree with Neo Pakistan will eventually get deal with China, Pakistan is also highly energy deficient country, The barriers will break more nations will realize the need of such deals.
Contrarian
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Pakistan cant 'get' a deal with China, as China cant offer a deal. Period.
Grandfather clauses are running out.
Grandfather clauses are running out.
Contrarian
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Im not saying Pakistan cannot sign such an agreement with the NSG. Infact im sure it will in the future.
Im saying that China cannot sign a 'nuclear agreement' with Pakistan in the near future. Or that Pakistan will get a counter 'nuclear agreement' from China just like India got it from US. This is because China cannot do that even if it wants to.
Im saying that China cannot sign a 'nuclear agreement' with Pakistan in the near future. Or that Pakistan will get a counter 'nuclear agreement' from China just like India got it from US. This is because China cannot do that even if it wants to.
China will continue to sell civil reactors to Pakistan for the time being as long we place them under IAEA's safeguard and that's enough for now. No one actually knows the how the ball will roll as aftermath of Indo-US deal has yet to begin. IAEA and NSG stand weak on NPT and can't bully us anylonger on nuclear issue.
In the mean time our focus is on indigenously built Khushab heavy water based Pu reactors to counter India's growing nuclear arsenal. First reactor is in fully operational, second almost nearing completion as work has begun on the third one. Each reactor has the capacity to peoduce weapon grade Pu for 8-12 bombs per year.
I'm least concerned about the future.
In the mean time our focus is on indigenously built Khushab heavy water based Pu reactors to counter India's growing nuclear arsenal. First reactor is in fully operational, second almost nearing completion as work has begun on the third one. Each reactor has the capacity to peoduce weapon grade Pu for 8-12 bombs per year.
I'm least concerned about the future.
