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Senate agrees India nuclear deal Senate backs India nuclear deal
(about 5 hours later)
The US Senate has overwhelmingly voted to pass a controversial deal to share civilian nuclear technology with India.The US Senate has overwhelmingly voted to pass a controversial deal to share civilian nuclear technology with India.
The deal was proposed over a year ago as a way to boost ties with a strategic ally. In exchange, India must allow the US to inspect its civilian reactors. Under the deal, which was proposed more than a year ago, India must allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities.
President George W Bush hailed the move as bringing India into the "nuclear non-proliferation mainstream". US President George W Bush hailed the move as bringing India into the "nuclear non-proliferation mainstream".
However, the bill still has to clear a number of hurdles before it becomes law and is implemented.However, the bill still has to clear a number of hurdles before it becomes law and is implemented.
One condition would require India to fully and actively participate in efforts to contain Iran's nuclear programme before the US will offer Delhi help. One condition would require India to fully and actively participate in efforts to contain Iran's nuclear programme.
The Senate bill and a version passed by the House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Congress, must now be reconciled and approved by Mr Bush before the legislation can take effect.The Senate bill and a version passed by the House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Congress, must now be reconciled and approved by Mr Bush before the legislation can take effect.
"As India's economy continues to grow, this partnership will help India meet its energy needs without increasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions," said the president. The legislation was adopted by 85 votes to 12 in the Senate after a series of proposed amendments - which India had opposed - were defeated. "As India's economy continues to grow, this partnership will help India meet its energy needs without increasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Bush said.
However, critics have argued the agreement will be detrimental to global anti-nuclear proliferation efforts. The Senate adopted the bill by 85 votes to 12 in the Senate after a series of proposed amendments - which India had opposed - were defeated.
Important fillip There had been strong opposition to the deal because of fears it could encourage the spread of nuclear weapons.
The deal is a "lasting incentive" for India not to test nuclear weapons and "to co-operate closely with the United States in stopping proliferation", Senator Richard Lugar said as the upper house of the American parliament began debating the bill. India's Foreign Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the passage of the bill, saying it reflected "very broad bipartisan support".
Obstacles
The deal is a "lasting incentive" for India not to test nuclear weapons and "to co-operate closely with the United States in stopping proliferation", Senator Richard Lugar said as the Senate debate began.
Mid-term fallout on dealMid-term fallout on deal
Correspondents say that once the legislation is eventually approved, the initiative will overturn decades of US anti-proliferation policy.Correspondents say that once the legislation is eventually approved, the initiative will overturn decades of US anti-proliferation policy.
They say that while success for the bill in the Senate hands President George W Bush an important fillip, several obstacles loom before the two countries can begin trade in civilian nuclear materials. But several obstacles loom before the two countries can begin trade in civilian nuclear materials.
India would need to get approval for the deal from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an assembly of nations that export nuclear material.India would need to get approval for the deal from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an assembly of nations that export nuclear material.
Delhi would also need to negotiate a safeguard agreement with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Delhi would also need to negotiate a safeguard agreement with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
There is also some concern about the transfer of missile technology to Iran by at least two Indian firms, recently black-listed by the US government.There is also some concern about the transfer of missile technology to Iran by at least two Indian firms, recently black-listed by the US government.
Overwhelming majority India's interests
Once those hurdles have been overcome, technical negotiations would need to be completed between the two countries before Congress holds another vote on the overall deal. Once those hurdles have been overcome, technical negotiations would need to be completed between the two countries before Congress holds another vote on the deal.
The BBC's Shahzeb Jillani in Washington says that the Bush administration sees the deal as one of its most important foreign policy initiatives.
Overall, the agreement has enjoyed strong bipartisan support among US lawmakers.Overall, the agreement has enjoyed strong bipartisan support among US lawmakers.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill with an overwhelming majority.Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill with an overwhelming majority.
The Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, strongly defended the deal in the Indian parliament in August. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh strongly defended the deal in the parliament in August.
He said India would not accept any move by Washington that would impede its atomic weapons programme, nor would it allow any international scrutiny of its military facilities.He said India would not accept any move by Washington that would impede its atomic weapons programme, nor would it allow any international scrutiny of its military facilities.
But Mr Singh also argued that the deal was in India's interests.But Mr Singh also argued that the deal was in India's interests.
He said mass poverty could only be removed by a fast expanding economy, which in turn needed energy.He said mass poverty could only be removed by a fast expanding economy, which in turn needed energy.