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US vote due on India nuclear deal US vote due on India nuclear deal
(about 2 hours later)
The US Senate is due to vote on a civil nuclear deal between the India and US to end a three-decade ban on nuclear trade with India, reports say.The US Senate is due to vote on a civil nuclear deal between the India and US to end a three-decade ban on nuclear trade with India, reports say.
The US House of Representatives passed the agreement on Saturday. After the Senate's final approval President George W Bush can sign it into law.The US House of Representatives passed the agreement on Saturday. After the Senate's final approval President George W Bush can sign it into law.
India says the deal with the US is vital for it to meet its rising civil energy demands.India says the deal with the US is vital for it to meet its rising civil energy demands.
But critics say the deal creates a dangerous precedent.But critics say the deal creates a dangerous precedent.
They say it effectively allows India to expand its nuclear power industry without requiring it to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as other nations must.They say it effectively 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 accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel.Under the terms of the accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel.
'Bipartisan support''Bipartisan support'
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.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said she hoped the agreement will clear its last hurdle, saying that it had "strong bipartisan support".US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said she hoped the agreement will clear its last hurdle, saying that it had "strong bipartisan support".
"I certainly hope it can get done, because it would be a landmark agreement for India and the US," she was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency."I certainly hope it can get done, because it would be a landmark agreement for India and the US," she was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who is a Democrat and supports the bill, said the Senate would vote on the deal on Wednesday evening.A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who is a Democrat and supports the bill, said the Senate would vote on the deal on Wednesday evening.
"We will have a vote tomorrow evening on two amendments and final passage of the US-India cooperation deal," Regan Lachapelle said. "We will have a vote tomorrow evening on two amendments and final passage of the US-India cooperation deal," spokeswoman, Regan Lachapelle, said.
She said the amendments were related to the "subject of US responses in the event of a future Indian nuclear test".She said the amendments were related to the "subject of US responses in the event of a future Indian nuclear test".
India has said it retains the right to conduct nuclear tests. The US has said the deal would be off in such an eventuality.India has said it retains the right to conduct nuclear tests. The US has said the deal would be off in such an eventuality.
The US House of Representatives passed the agreement by 298-117 votes late on Saturday.The US House of Representatives passed the agreement by 298-117 votes late on Saturday.
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has said the deal will help India to liberate itself from "the constraints of technology denial of 34 years".Indian PM Manmohan Singh has said the deal will help India to liberate itself from "the constraints of technology denial of 34 years".
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.
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.
On Tuesday, India and France signed a major co-operation pact which paves the way for the sale of French nuclear reactors to Delhi.On Tuesday, India and France signed a major co-operation pact which paves the way for the sale of French nuclear reactors to Delhi.
France is the world's second largest producer of nuclear energy after the United States.France is the world's second largest producer of nuclear energy after the United States.