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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| India eyes France nuclear accord | India eyes France nuclear accord |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is in France where he will discuss boosting civilian nuclear trade. | Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is in France where he will discuss boosting civilian nuclear trade. |
| Mr Singh meets President Sarkozy in Paris on Tuesday and says they could sign a nuclear co-operation agreement. | Mr Singh meets President Sarkozy in Paris on Tuesday and says they could sign a nuclear co-operation agreement. |
| The trip comes after the US House of Representatives voted in favour of a landmark India-US nuclear accord. | The trip comes after the US House of Representatives voted in favour of a landmark India-US nuclear accord. |
| Earlier this month, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) lifted a ban that had denied India access to the international nuclear market. | Earlier this month, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) lifted a ban that had denied India access to the international nuclear market. |
| 'New status' | '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. | 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 the terms of the deal, 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. | 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. | 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 as well as other civilian nuclear material. | |
| "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. | "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. |
| He and Mr Sarkozy are in the southern French city of Marseille for a European Union-India summit. The meeting is focusing on bilateral trade and the global financial crisis. | |
| Race against time | Race against time |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| "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 co-operation is in the interest of India, in the interest of the US and in the interest of the world at large." | "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 President Bush faces a race against time to sign the deal into law before he leaves office in January. | Correspondents say President Bush faces a race against time to sign the deal into law before he leaves office in January. |
| It was first agreed three years ago and is regarded as a key foreign policy priority for both the Indian and US governments. | 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. | The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India after it tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. |