Bush signs Indo-US nuke deal bill into law

Washington: The US President, George W. Bush, has signed into law the legislation to implement the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear deal with an assurance there is no change in fuel supply commitments as reflected in the 123 Agreement allaying Indian fears on this crucial issue.

"The legislation does not change fuel supply commitments made by the US to the Government of India as recorded in the 123 Agreement," Bush said as he put his signature on the nuclear bill paving the way for the two countries to formally ink the 123 agreement on Friday.

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"India can count on reliable fuel supplies (from US) for its reactors," Bush said, adding, "We will give consent to India for advanced reprocessing." Bush's remarks were applauded on several occasions by the distinguished gathering assembled for the high profile signing ceremony at the White House's ornate East Room.

Describing India and the US as natural partners, Bush inked the " H R 7081, United States- India Nuclear Co-operation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act "finally cleared by the US Congress last week reversing 34 years of US policy to eventually allow American businesses to have a share of India's 100 billion dollar nuclear pie.

The External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, and the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, will formally sign the overall bilateral nuclear co-operation accord on Friday evening itself in a surprise announcement made by the State Department hours before Bush's signature on the implementing legislation.

"On Friday at 4o'clock (0130 IST Saturday) the Secretary will sign with Mukherjee, the India Civil Nuclear Agreement," the State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, told reporters.

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"This follows on the President's signature today of implementing legislation in the United States," he added.

India had voiced concerns regarding nuclear fuel assurances, technology transfers for uranium enrichment and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel.

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The historic agreement could not be inked during Rice's day-long visit to India on October 4 as New Delhi insisted that it would do so only after seeing Bush's signing statement. India was expecting Bush to clear the American position on certain aspects like fuel supply commitments and it is not immediately clear if there is a formal signing of statement after the deal was signed into a law to lend weight to his assurances.

Celebrating "the growing ties between the world's two largest democracies", Bush said: "This agreement sends a signal to the world: Nations that follow the path to democracy and responsible behaviour will find a friend in the United States of America."