The Hindu Business Line : Democrats willing to take up nuclear deal in Senate next week

WASHINGTON: The US Congress could clear The Indo-US civil nuclear agreement this year with key Democratic lawmakers saying that they were ready to go with the Bush administration on the Bill enabling the deal soon after they wrested control of the Capito l Hill.

Allaying fears that a power shift from Republicans will impede the passing of the deal in the Senate, President George Mr W Bush and Senate Democratic party leader Mr Harry Reid said they wanted the deal with India to be taken up in the 'Lame Duck' sessi on, likely to take place on November 15-16.

"I'm trying to get the Indian (nuclear) deal done, the Vietnam (trade) deal done and the budgets done," Mr Bush said at a press conference in reply to a question. He was asked whether he would support a Bill to extend voting rights in the district of Col ombia.

Endorsing the view, Mr Reid said ''India is the largest democracy in the world. We want to work with them, and it is important we move along the lines."

Expressing the hope that the Bill on the deal would be considered when Congress meets next week, Mr Joe Biden, a top Democrat on the Senate's foreign affairs panel, said lawmakers were 'ready to go with the India Bill.'

Mr Biden said it would take 'at least a day's worth of debate, no more than two,' to settle the Bill in the Senate.

With the deal receiving bipartisan support, Mr Biden said it would be cleared 'with a very large vote'. If the Senate takes up the nuclear deal next week, New Delhi is optimistic that it will enable completion of the Congressional processes by year-end. - PTI

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