Bush signs US-India cooperation bill
US President Bush signed into law the '123 Agreement' on nuclear cooperation with India at a signing ceremony at the White House on 8 October. The bill establishes the legal framework for a trade agreement to come into effect.
Bush puts pen to paper (Image: White House)
US President George Bush signed into law the '123 Agreement' on nuclear cooperation with India at a signing ceremony at the White House on 8 October.
The bill establishes the legal framework for an agreement to come into effect that allows US nuclear suppliers to resume trade with India for the first time in 34 years. The trade agreement is expected to be signed by US and Indian officials within days.
Bush and Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh signed a declaration in July 2005 aimed at ending India's isolation in nuclear trade. The text of a proposed deal was amended in the USA by the Hyde Act, and the revised deal then faced a long battle for approval by the Indian parliament. Singh eventually reorganised his coalition government to force the bill through. The agreement was approved by the US Congress at the beginning on 1 October.
Bush said, "By undertaking new cooperation on civil nuclear energy, India will be able to count on a reliable fuel supply for its civilian reactors, meet the energy demands of its people, and reduce its independence on fossil fuel." He added, "For our part, the United States will gain access to a growing market for civilian nuclear technologies and materials, that will help American businesses create more jobs for our people here at home."
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