Jul 27, 2007 9:03 am US/Eastern
U.S., India Agree To Civilian Nuclear Fuel Deal
WASHINGTON (CBS) ―
The United States and India said Friday they have worked out differences blocking the sharing of civilian nuclear fuel and technology, hailing a "historic milestone" accord that would reverse three decades of American anti-proliferation policy.
Critics say nuclear cooperation with India, which built its atomic program outside the international the strictures of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, could spur the spread of nuclear weapons.
A one-page statement released by Washington and New Delhi Friday provided no specific details. But if negotiators' work diverges from what the U.S. Congress approved last year, it could stir opposition from wary American lawmakers who must still sign off on a final plan. The accord must also be approved by international regulatory bodies.
Friday's announcement came after months of detailed, often frustrating technical talks. India's Cabinet signed off on the technical details of a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with the United States on Wednesday. A broad deal was struck two years ago. But negotiations were held up by American reluctance to allow India to reprocess spent atomic fuel - a key step in making atomic weapons - and Indian demands for a guaranteed fuel supply for reactors.
India's national security adviser, M.K. Narayanan, told reporters in New Delhi that the text of the agreement did not address another thorny issue: India's demand to be allowed to continue to carry out nuclear tests.
"This deal deals primarily with civil nuclear cooperation. There is no reference here to the event of a test. If there is a test we will come to that later on," he said.
Anil Kakodkar, the chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission, said India had won the right to reprocess spent fuel.
Critics say the extra fuel the measure provides could boost India's nuclear bomb stockpile by freeing up its domestic uranium for weapons. That, they fear, could spark a nuclear arms race in Asia.
For nuclear trade to happen, India must also make a separate agreement with the U.N. nuclear watchdog and with the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an assembly of nations that export nuclear material.
The U.S. Congress last year carved out an exemption in American law to allow U.S. civilian nuclear trade with India. The deal allows the United States to ship nuclear fuel and technology to India, which in exchange would open its civilian nuclear reactors to international inspectors. India's military reactors would remain off-limits, however.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
