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US House backs India nuclear deal India eyes France nuclear accord
(about 5 hours later)
The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of a landmark nuclear deal between India and the US. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is in France where he will discuss boosting civilian nuclear trade.
The agreement now goes to the Senate for final approval, before President George W Bush signs it into law. Mr Singh meets President Sarkozy in Paris on Tuesday and says they could sign a nuclear co-operation agreement.
India PM Manmohan Singh, who was in New York for the UN General Assembly, has said India is close to securing a "new status" in the world nuclear order. The trip comes after the US House of Representatives voted in favour of a landmark India-US nuclear accord.
India says the agreement is vital for it to meet its energy demands. Critics say it creates a dangerous precedent. Earlier this month, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) lifted a ban that had denied India access to the international nuclear market.
'New status'
India says the agreement with the US is vital for it to meet its growing energy demands. Critics say it creates a dangerous precedent.
They say the deal allows India to expand its nuclear power industry without requiring it to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as other nations must.They say the deal allows India to expand its nuclear power industry without requiring it to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as other nations must.
Under its terms, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. Under the terms of the 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.
Mr Singh has said India is close to securing a "new status" in the world nuclear order.
The Framework Agreement for Civil Nuclear Co-operation was agreed with France in January.
Reports say the deal includes providing India with France's latest model of the European Pressurised Reactor.
"We have already initialled the framework agreement in civil nuclear matters. It will certainly come up for review and possible signature during my visit," Mr Singh told reporters on Sunday.
Race against timeRace against time
The House passed by the agreement 298-117 votes. Reports say it is likely to go for a final approval to the Senate this week. The US House of Representatives passed the agreement by 298-117 votes late on Saturday. The agreement now goes to the Senate for final approval, before President George W Bush can sign it into law.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who is a Democrat and supports the bill, promised a vote this week, possibly on Monday.
Mr Bush urged the Senate to "quickly" vote on the deal before it adjourns. "Signing this bipartisan bill will help strengthen our partnership with India," he said in a statement.
"I am happy that one hurdle has been crossed, but it is not the end of the Congressional process and we need to wait for the final outcome," Manmohan Singh told reporters."I am happy that one hurdle has been crossed, but it is not the end of the Congressional process and we need to wait for the final outcome," Manmohan Singh told reporters.
US President George W Bush urged the Senate to "quickly" vote on the deal before it adjourns before October.
"Signing this bipartisan bill will help strengthen our partnership with India," he said in a statement.
The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India after it tested a nuclear weapon in 1974.
"India will be liberated from the constraints of technology denial of 34 years," Mr Singh was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office."India will be liberated from the constraints of technology denial of 34 years," Mr Singh was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.
"The civilian nuclear cooperation is in the interest of India, in the interest of the US and in the interest of the world at large," he said. "The civilian nuclear co-operation is in the interest of India, in the interest of the US and in the interest of the world at large."
Correspondents say it will be a race against time if the two sides sign the deal - first agreed three years ago - and regarded as a key foreign policy priority for both the Indian and US governments. Correspondents say President Bush faces a race against time to sign the deal into law before he leaves office in January.
Earlier this month, the Nuclear Suppliers Group lifted a ban that had stopped India from getting access to the global nuclear market. It was first agreed three years ago and is regarded as a key foreign policy priority for both the Indian and US governments.
The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India after it tested a nuclear weapon in 1974.