Cooperation on green technology may be announced too. The three remaining steps needed to get the India-US civil nuclear deal off the ground will also be discussed.
Some announcements and memoranda of understanding are expected on what is being pitched by the US as a global partnership. One will be on education, another on closer cooperation in the fight against terror, including technology transfer to track down terror modules and listening devices.
Cooperation on green technology may be announced too. The three remaining steps needed to get the India-US civil nuclear deal off the ground will also be discussed. New Delhi must give an “assurance” to the US government of its non-proliferation commitments, meaning the nuclear technology given to India will not be passed on to a third country or entity. This is part of US domestic law.
The code of federal regulation 810 lays down that before any US company is given a licence to either export or set up a nuclear plant abroad it needs an assurance slip from the host nation. It is only after the country, in this case India, gives the letter that the US department of energy can issue a licence to the American company. This is mandatory under section 57 (b) of the US Atomic Energy Act. The provision applies to technology transfers and technical assistance to all activities of the nuclear fuel cycle.
India and the US have begun negotiations on a reprocessing agreement. Two to three rounds of talks have taken place but it is unclear if the negotiations can be wrapped up by the time Singh is in Washington. Atomic energy chief Anil Kakodkar was in Washington last week for the discussions.
Also, parliament has to pass the limited liability act, by which US companies are protected in case of a nuclear accident at the site.
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