The 37-5 vote in favour of the deal has set the momentum for its passage through all other stages, feel Indian policy makers. A DNA Analysis
NEW DELHI: The Indo-US nuclear deal has crossed its most difficult hurdle with Tuesday’s overwhelming support from the House International Relations Committee, feel Indian policy makers.
The 37-5 vote in favour of the deal, without any objectionable conditions, has set the momentum for its passage through all other stages, raising hopes that India will realise its dream of joining the international nuclear club by the yearend.
In fact, important Democrat leaders are believed to have told Indian interlocutors that to see the deal purely as a Bush initiative would be to miss the big picture on Indo-US relations.
There is, of course, a tedious process ahead as the bill, which will change US law to allow civilian nuclear cooperation with India, makes its way through the labyrinth of US legislative requirements. There is also a 1-2-3 agreement that is currently being negotiated, which has to be passed by Congress. This agreement will make the deal operational by spelling out the finer details.
Simultaneously, New Delhi will have to negotiate an India-specific safeguards protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency. This protocol will have to be concluded, though not necessarily signed, before Congress gives its seal of approval.
On a parallel track, the US will approach the Nuclear Suppliers Group to adjust its guidelines to allow trade with India in civilian nuclear technology and fuel.
There are no timelines for all this. But officials hope the process will be completed before 2006 ends. The year 2007 could herald a new beginning for India.
Tedious process
- The bill has to pass through US legislative requirements before becoming a law
- A 1-2-3 agreement, containing the finer details of the deal, also has to be negotiated
- Simultaneously, India will have to negotiate an India-specific safeguards protocol with the IAEA
- The US will approach the Nuclear Suppliers Group to adjust guidelines to allow trade with India in civilian nuclear technology and fuel
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