Silencing sceptics in both countries, India and the US have signed the 123 civil nuclear pact after over three years of intense diplomatic and political debate.
WASHINGTON: India and the US have signed the 123 pact that allows US businesses to sell nuclear reactors, fuel and technology to India. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the India's foreign minister, Pranab Mukherjee, signed the pact reversing three decades of US policy. India has faced a nuclear trade ban since its first atomic test in 1974 and has refused to sign nonproliferation accords. The deal also marks a paradigm shift in relations between India and the US.
"Many thought this day would never come. But doubts have been silenced now," said Rice. "And it demonstrates the vast potential partnership between India and the US, potential that, frankly, has gone unfulfilled for too many decades of mistrust, potential that now can be fully realised."
Mukherjee pointed out the bilateral agreement had been passed by the US Congress "without any amendments". "Its provisions are now legally binding on both sides," he added. At a press conference later he made the legally binding nature of the accord more explicit: "We intend to implement this agreement in good faith and in accordance with the principles of international law and I am confident that the US will also do the same."
Calling it "a diplomatic triumph for both our nations", Rice stressed that the agreement unlocks "a new and far broader world of potential for our strategic partnership in the 21st century, not just on nuclear cooperation but on every area of national endeavour."
"We believe every country has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he said when asked about Islamabad's demand for an India-like nuclear deal with the US.
With the deal done, all eyes in India are on how the government will tout the deal in the next elections, which are likely to be held next year.
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