The Hindu Business Line : New twist to Indo-US nuke deal controversy?

WASHINGTON: In yet another twist to the controversy dogging the Indo-US nuclear deal, a powerful Senate panel has approved a bill that seeks to prevent the transfer to India of nuclear equipment, materials or technology from the NSG countries or any othe r source in the event of violation of US laws.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted overwhelmingly to approve the bill by 19-2 sending it to the full Senate but questions remained whether Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush would be able to sign the 123 Agreement when they meet tomorrow.

The US Congress, which is yet to approve the deal, is busy with the financial crisis and it is not clear whether the deal will pass muster in the current session slated to end on September 26.

One of the provisions of the bill adopted by the Committee makes it clear that “...it is the policy of the US to seek to prevent the transfer to India of nuclear equipment, materials, or technology from other participating governments in the Nuclear Supp liers Group (NSG) or from any other source.”

Such a contingency would arise in the event nuclear transfers to India are suspended or terminated in pursuance of provisions of the Hyde Act, the Atomic Energy Act or any other US law, the provision in the bill reads.

The bill also mandates that the deal will be subject to the provisions of the Hyde Act, Atomic Energy Act and other US laws, an issue on which India insists that it was bound only by the 123 Agreement. - PTI

Prev: Fraudsters print fake RBI cheques, crores withdrawn
Next: Mamata demands CBI probe into Singur package

Business Line | NUS Index |