US Senate to Vote on US-India Nuclear Pact
By VOA News
01 October 2008
The U.S. Senate has agreed to vote on a landmark nuclear agreement that would overturn a 34-year ban on nuclear trade with India.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says lawmakers will vote on the legislation later Wednesday. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the deal Saturday.
Under the agreement, the United States would share civilian technology and material with India in exchange for India allowing international inspections of some of its nuclear facilities.
U.S. President George Bush says the agreement is a major step forward in U.S.-India relations. And U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the deal would solidify deepening relations between two of the world's largest democracies.
Officials say senators Wednesday also will consider two amendments to the legislation that address what the U.S. reaction should be in the event India conducts another nuclear test.
International critics say the agreement undermines efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by allowing sales of such technology to those who have not agreed to full safeguards.
India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation agreement and tested nuclear weapons in 1974 and 1998.
Earlier this month, the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which governs legal trade of nuclear materials around the world, ended a 34-year embargo on India.
Tuesday, Indian and French leaders signed a landmark agreement allowing French companies to sell civilian nuclear technology to India.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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