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Key India nuclear deal talks due Key India nuclear deal talks due
(about 1 hour later)
India's ruling coalition is due to hold key talks with its Communist allies on signing the delayed landmark US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal.India's ruling coalition is due to hold key talks with its Communist allies on signing the delayed landmark US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal.
The talks come amid reports that the Congress-led coalition could go ahead with deal and risk an early election.The talks come amid reports that the Congress-led coalition could go ahead with deal and risk an early election.
India is under pressure from Washington to sign the deal before the US presidential elections in November.India is under pressure from Washington to sign the deal before the US presidential elections in November.
Under the terms of the controversial deal, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel.Under the terms of the controversial deal, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel.
In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits.In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits.
But objections from the Indian government's Communist allies have delayed the signing. The Left parties argue that it would give the US undue influence over India's foreign and nuclear policy. But objections from the Indian government's Communist allies have delayed the signing. The left-wing parties argue that it would give the US undue influence over India's foreign and nuclear policy.
The Communists, who have 59 members in parliament, say they would withdraw support to the government if it went ahead with the deal.The Communists, who have 59 members in parliament, say they would withdraw support to the government if it went ahead with the deal.
HopefulHopeful
This would lead to early polls - general elections are due to be held next year in India.This would lead to early polls - general elections are due to be held next year in India.
Allies of the ruling Congress Party-led coalition have said early elections would go against them as Indians were battling double-digit inflation due to rising oil and food prices, among other things.Allies of the ruling Congress Party-led coalition have said early elections would go against them as Indians were battling double-digit inflation due to rising oil and food prices, among other things.
Reports say that the Congress Party is backing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is widely believed to be the architect of the deal.Reports say that the Congress Party is backing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is widely believed to be the architect of the deal.
"The Congress is firmly behind the Prime Minister. We are hopeful of finding a solution," party spokesman Digvijay Singh told reporters."The Congress is firmly behind the Prime Minister. We are hopeful of finding a solution," party spokesman Digvijay Singh told reporters.
NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA India has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under constructionNuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricityBy 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricityIndia has limited coal and uranium reservesIts huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel its nuclear power programme long-termSource: Uranium Information CenterNUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA India has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under constructionNuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricityBy 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricityIndia has limited coal and uranium reservesIts huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel its nuclear power programme long-termSource: Uranium Information Center
But some senior Congress Party members appear to have misgivings about the deal.But some senior Congress Party members appear to have misgivings about the deal.
"I can't understand why the deal cannot be renegotiated at a later stage, maybe one year down the line," former junior foreign minister and party member Salman Khursheed told The Indian Express newspaper."I can't understand why the deal cannot be renegotiated at a later stage, maybe one year down the line," former junior foreign minister and party member Salman Khursheed told The Indian Express newspaper.
US President George W Bush finalised the nuclear agreement with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in July 2005.US President George W Bush finalised the nuclear agreement with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in July 2005.
It overturned three decades of US policy by allowing the sale of nuclear technology and fuel to India.It overturned three decades of US policy by allowing the sale of nuclear technology and fuel to India.
With President Bush's second and final term in office drawing to a close and presidential elections set for November, the Bush administration is growing increasingly anxious to wrap up the deal.With President Bush's second and final term in office drawing to a close and presidential elections set for November, the Bush administration is growing increasingly anxious to wrap up the deal.
Many analysts and some within the Bush administration believe a failure to conclude the agreement could create a setback for the current momentum in US-India relations.Many analysts and some within the Bush administration believe a failure to conclude the agreement could create a setback for the current momentum in US-India relations.
Any agreement would also eventually need to be approved by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as by the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade.Any agreement would also eventually need to be approved by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as by the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade.
The IAEA's Board of Governors and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) must approve India-specific exemptions before the deal is sent back to the US Congress for its final seal of approval.The IAEA's Board of Governors and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) must approve India-specific exemptions before the deal is sent back to the US Congress for its final seal of approval.