Under the deal, the U.S. would share nuclear technology and fuel, including uranium, with India, while the world's largest democracy would separate its civilian and military nuclear programs and place the civilian plants under international inspections.
"We concluded an historic agreement today on nuclear power," the president said in a joint press conference with Mr. Singh. "I'm looking forward to working with our United States Congress to change decades of law that will enable us to move forward in this important initiative."
The agreement represents a major shift in policy for the U.S., which had criticized India after its 1974 nuclear test and levied temporary sanctions in 1998 after more tests.
Yesterday's deal, laid out in principle during Mr. Singh's July visit to Washington but not concluded until two hours before the leaders' joint appearance, requires member countries of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to lift restrictions on sharing civilian nuclear technology with India.
[...] "India for the very first time has agreed to international safeguards," he said. "They have given a commitment that all breeder and power reactors will be put under safeguards, and this is very critical."
Under the deal, India would agree to international oversight for 14 of its 22 nuclear reactors, after initially offering inspections at four. The pact requires that Congress revise the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. |