In an indication of potential hurdles for the Indo-US nuclear deal, a powerful US democrat has threatened to block the pact in the Congress if the waiver granted by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) does not provide for terminating the accord if India conducts an atomic test. The NSG is to meet this month to consider allowing India to carry out nuclear commerce without signing the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Howard Berman, chairman of the crucial House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the deal should be shelved till January as the Congress did not have enough time to study it by September 8, when it is scheduled to meet next. He warned that an NSG waiver “inconsistent” with the Hyde Act would “jeopardise” the deal in the Congress.
The Bush administration is trying to fast-track the deal by planning to bring it before the Congress around September 8. India is pressing for a clean and unconditional waiver from the NSG.
The Congressional panel will examine the 123 Agreement when it is presented to the Congress for approval.