MADRAS, India -- The India-U.S. deal to cooperate in civil nuclear energy signed in New Delhi in March now appears set to be approved by the U.S. Congress. This will end India's nuclear isolation, which began in 1998 when the country first tested nuclear weapons.
The U.S. Congress must amend American law to OK this pact. It seems that it will do so. U.S. President George W. Bush can then waive some provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, paving the way for civil nuclear cooperation with India, even though New Delhi has never signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).
In India the agreement has been criticized by government allies and opponents, nuclear scientists and analysts. India Left, a partner in India's coalition government, headed by the Congress, wants such important pacts to have parliamentary approval. At present, this is not required.