India nuclear deal advances

The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a civil nuclear cooperation deal with India aimed at improving ties between the world’s two largest democracies.

Officials in both nations hailed the 85-12 vote on the controversial accord, which would give India access to American nuclear fuel and technology.

In return, India would allow United Nations inspections of its civilian reactors, though not its military facilities.

“We welcome the passage of the bill on Indo-U.S. civil nuclear cooperation in the U.S. Senate by an overwhelming majority. This, undoubtedly, reflects the very broad bipartisan support which this initiative enjoys,” Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a statement this morning.

But mindful that House and Senate versions of the legislation must be reconciled, he added: “We must await the final version before drawing any conclusions on the legislation.”

In Washington, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) said Thursday the historic deal would “increase the prospect for stability and progress in South Asia and in the world at large.”

The Indian government had watched the bill’s progress for months. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has staked much of his foreign policy on strengthening ties with the U.S., and the nuclear deal forms the cornerstone of that effort.

But the legislative process is not over. After the Senate and House versions of the bill are reconciled, the final bill would need the signature of President Bush, who has lobbied intensely on its behalf. Finally, Congress would be asked to approve a treaty formalizing the pact.

If turned into law, the agreement would overturn decades of U.S. policy on curbing nuclear proliferation.

India has refused to sign the worldwide Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, leading to the nation’s isolation on the nuclear issue for 40 years. In 1998, India and archrival Pakistan shocked the world by conducting dueling nuclear test explosions.

Critics say that lifting long-established nuclear sanctions against India would reward New Delhi’s noncompliance with international norms at a time when Washington is trying to rein in nuclear activity in Iran and North Korea.

Detractors also contend that India could buy nuclear fuel from the U.S., then divert some of its domestic uranium to weapons. An arms race in South Asia could ensue.

“I believe one day we will look back at this with great regret,” said Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.).

Supporters say India has proved itself a responsible nuclear power. Some U.S. officials have also pushed the deal as a way to counter China, a historical rival of India.

There are already signs that Beijing may retaliate: On a visit to the subcontinent next week, Chinese President Hu Jintao is expected to announce a similar civil nuclear cooperation accord with Pakistan.

India was concerned this year as U.S. lawmakers began proposing restrictive amendments to the nuclear deal that New Delhi considered unacceptable.

The Democratic sweep in the U.S. midterm election also raised concerns that the bill would fail to get passed before the year was out, which would send it back to the drawing board.

But Bush telephoned Singh earlier Thursday to assure the Indian leader of his continued support for the deal. And in the Senate vote, all of what Indians termed the “killer amendments” were defeated, including one that would have required India to stop producing weapons-grade nuclear material.

California’s Democratic senators split on the deal, with Dianne Feinstein voting for the bill and Barbara Boxer opposed.

henry.chu@latimes.com