N-Deal on course, next step U.S Cong

Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 8:09 am

After three days of roller-coaster negotiations, India clinched the crucial Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver on Saturday (September 6), bringing an end to a 34-year isolation and heralding in the era of global nuclear commerce. The action now moves to Washington DC where the US Congress meets on Monday (September 8).

At the next stop over in Washington DC, the US Congress is required to put its stamp of approval one last time to bring the deal into effect.

Although Congressional leaders say the agreement needs to circulate in the house for a mandatory 30-day period before it can be taken up for vote, the Bush administration is expected to find ways to work around this problem.

The US Congress is scheduled to be in session from September 8 to September 26, even as electioneering picks up across the country. It is also likely that Congress will return for a ‘lame-duck’ session in December.

Washington’s hardline non-proliferation constituency is expected to raise more strenuous objections as the deal makes it final journey through the US Congress.

Meanwhile, media reports now suggest that India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, is likely to visit Washington DC for just a day on September 26 for the conclusion of the deal, once the US Congress gives its final clearance in its session starting Monday.

What India gets?

Now with this crucial waiver in hand, India can generate higher percentage of electricity using nuclear power reactors. This also opens up the prospect of reducing energy production deficit through building more power reactors. The nuclear deal also includes reasearch, development, design and use of nuclear reactors.

What India gives?

With the deal going into the next stage, India has assured a moratorium on testing. Any future tests would mean nuclear supplies being cut off. India will also not be able to stockpile fuel reserves. And equally important is that America now can seek return of nuclear fuel and technology whenever it wishes to do so.

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

N-Deal on course, next step U.S Cong

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