Statement by Official Spokesperson on the outcome of the Conference in theUS Congress reconciling the Waiver Bills on civilian nuclear energy cooperationbetween India and the USA
Government welcomes the outcome of the Conference in the US Congress that hasreconciled the Waiver Bills earlier passed by the House of Representatives andthe Senate respectively which would enable resumption of civilian nuclear energycooperation between India and the USA.
The Bill awaits favourable votes by the House and the Senate. The USAdministration has assured us that once passed, this legislation would enable itto fulfill all its commitments and obligations under the 18 July Joint Statementand the Separation Plan.
The enactment of the waiver has wider implications for India’s access tointernational cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and is, therefore, ofhistoric significance.
We appreciate the personal effort and commitment demonstrated by President Bushand Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in taking this initiative forward. Weare also encouraged by the broad bipartisan support of the Congressionalleadership for stronger Indo-US ties.
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Government also notes that this draft legislation contains certain extraneousand prescriptive provisions. As Prime Minister stated in Parliament, nolegislation enacted in a foreign country can take away from us the sovereignright to conduct foreign policy determined solely by our national interests.
The legislation that would be passed is an amendment to a law of the UnitedStates. Our obligations and commitments will be those that we undertake in thebilateral 123 Agreement. We expect that to adhere to the 18 July Joint Statementand the Separation Plan. We look forward to working with the US Administrationfor an early conclusion of a satisfactory Agreement.
External Affairs Minister will be making a statement in the Parliament soon.
New Delhi
December 8, 2006
