House Passes Deal With India On Sale Of Nuclear Reactors

[Jasy]

House Passes Deal With India on Sale of Nuclear Reactors

By MARK MAZZETTI

Published: December 9, 2006

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 — The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Friday to cement closer ties between the United States and India, endorsing President Bush’s plan to allow American shipments of civilian nuclear reactors and fuel to India over criticisms that the plan could spark a regional arms race.

The landslide vote handed the White House a major victory at a time when the Bush administration’s foreign policy is under fire on multiple fronts, and it was another signal that American lawmakers are looking for concrete steps to counter China’s growing influence in Asia.

The bill passed 330-59 in the House, and the Senate had yet to vote. The nuclear agreement, which was negotiated in March by President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, would lift a decades-long ban on nuclear sales to India put in place, in part, because of the country’s refusal to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

The arrangement requires that the fuel shipments be for civilian use only, yet opponents of the bill said that the deliveries of nuclear fuel would free up India’s domestic stocks of nuclear materials for its weapons program.

On Friday, Representative Edward J. Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who has been one of the most vocal critics of the bill, called the plan a “historic mistake” that will “come back to haunt the United States and the world.”

Mr. Markey said that proliferation experts estimate that the new arrangement would allow India to produce as many as 50 nuclear warheads each year.

Congressional negotiators softened a provision that would have required American presidents to certify that India was participating in efforts to halt Iran’s burgeoning nuclear program. New Delhi strongly opposed this provision. The bill now merely requires the president to report annually to Congress on what India is doing to end the Iranian program.

Even after President Bush signs the legislation, India must reach a separate agreement on nuclear inspections with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog. The Nuclear Suppliers Group, a coalition of 45 nations that regulates nuclear trade, must also approve the deal.'

what do u think ?? is this good or bad for india ??

Bhul Chukh Maaf

[khalistan_militant]

2007 will see the begining of the end.

As Iran steps closer to building a nucelur weapon, they will gain great influence over the Arab nations even though it is not a Arab country. Iran is mainly Shia, as is south Iraq where they already have a lot of influence.

The Nucleur weapon Pakistan built, was aided by money from the Saudi Arabian government, once Iran have their missiles, the Saudis will go to Islamabad and buy back their Nukes. Saudi Arabi is manily Sunni.

If the two countries ever went to war, we will see the greatest market failure ever witnessed, the price of oil will rise out of control leading to mass unemployment in the west.

This isnt just some scare story, but what many political spectators can see happening.

The greater then number of countries with nucleur technology the greater the risk we all face.

[mann_kaum_layee_qurbaan]

the poll needs other options such as "MAYBE." If it is truly a civilian deal, then it should solve some of India's power needs. However as usual, if technology meant to help the masses gets trapped in teh usual Indian political system of corruption then the people of india may never actually see any of this technology other than the headlines in the papers proclaiming India's new dominance in the world.

It is important to note that this deal is being brokered during Congress gov't's rule and the BJP combine is showing their distrust of the whole thing and has issuues with the deal. So if the gov't changes, we may see India back out of this deal in the future.

I would vote for "maybe" because, india has a lot of potential. From the day the British left the subcontinent, all we have seen is stubborn, selfish, immoral leaders ruling the nation who have alienated the powerful sikhs, persecuted the downtrodden dalits, and massacred minorities via laws and organized mobs.

On papaer things look great. But can things on paper materialize into something in india?

considering India's track record, I'm skeptical. I'm hoping they prove me wrong.

sarbat da bhalla. over 1 billion Indians deserve a better life.

peace.

[Jasy]

the poll needs other options such as "MAYBE."

sorry ... was gettin late for work so didnt hv time to think b4 postin ....

Bhul Chukh Maaf

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh