India, US reach nuclear deal
ISN SECURITY WATCH (Thursday, 2 March: 14.29 CET) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W. Bush announced on Thursday that the two nations had reached an agreement on a landmark nuclear deal.
In accordance with the agreement, the US would share nuclear know-how and fuel with India to help power its fast-growing economy, despite India’s refusal to sign the international non-proliferation treaty.
For its part, India has agreed to separate its military nuclear program and open its civilian nuclear facilities to international inspection, an issue that has been a major sticking point in negotiations.
However, despite the optimism surrounding the agreement, it must still be finalized by US Congress, and Bush acknowledged that the battle will be a difficult one.
“Discussions would be held with the IAEA [UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency] on the guidelines for brining the civilian nuclear reactors under its safeguards,” Bush told reporters.
In 1998, the US imposed sanctions against India after New Delhi conducted nuclear tests.
Bush was not met with a warm welcome in India, where some dozens of thousands of demonstrators gathered across the country. News agencies reported that an estimated 10,000 people gathered a few blocks from where the two leaders met, chanting “Bush go back!” and “Down with Bush!”.
(By ISN Security Watch staff and news agencies)
In accordance with the agreement, the US would share nuclear know-how and fuel with India to help power its fast-growing economy, despite India’s refusal to sign the international non-proliferation treaty.
For its part, India has agreed to separate its military nuclear program and open its civilian nuclear facilities to international inspection, an issue that has been a major sticking point in negotiations.
However, despite the optimism surrounding the agreement, it must still be finalized by US Congress, and Bush acknowledged that the battle will be a difficult one.
“Discussions would be held with the IAEA [UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency] on the guidelines for brining the civilian nuclear reactors under its safeguards,” Bush told reporters.
In 1998, the US imposed sanctions against India after New Delhi conducted nuclear tests.
Bush was not met with a warm welcome in India, where some dozens of thousands of demonstrators gathered across the country. News agencies reported that an estimated 10,000 people gathered a few blocks from where the two leaders met, chanting “Bush go back!” and “Down with Bush!”.
(By ISN Security Watch staff and news agencies)
posted by Marko at 3/02/2006 09:15:00 AM
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