WALL STREET JOURNAL

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

U.S. to Aid India's Nuclear Program; Bush Vows More Cooperation On Range of Civilian Projects; U.N. Bid Remains a Hurdle

By NEIL KING JR. and JAY SOLOMON

The U.S. agreed to push for full nuclear cooperation with India, including the future sale of new reactors and fuel for its existing nuclear plants, in a surprise move that could rock the decades-old system designed to stem the flow of nuclear materials.

The agreement, the result of secret negotiations for months between Washington and New Delhi, is sure to draw criticism in Congress and throughout the world, as India has refused to sign on to the pact for controlling the spread of nuclear technologies, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. India in 1998 stunned the Clinton administration, and drew U.S. economic sanctions, when it conducted three underground nuclear tests in the deserts of Rajasthan state.

The Indians agreed to impose sweeping controls over its civilian nuclear program, including putting the program under the safeguard of the International Atomic Energy Agency. India also agreed to separate its military and civilian nuclear programs, and to put in place new rules to guard against any unauthorized exports of nuclear technology.

Announcement of a nuclear cooperation deal, which could face a fight in Congress, marked the height of an unusual, pomp-filled summit in which President Bush honored Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a fife-and-drum corps salute on the South Lawn of the White House and with a rare official dinner in the presidential mansion. U.S. officials billed the prime minister's visit -- and the ensuing nuclear agreement -- as one of the most important diplomatic events of the year. The Bush administration is seeking to turn India into a major U.S. ally and a counterweight to China's rising power in Asia.

The move could mark a fundamental realignment of U.S. relations in South Asia, which long have been tilted toward Pakistan, India's longtime rival. The increasing warmth between the U.S. and India could put a squeeze on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, a crucial U.S. ally since 2001 in the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan. Pakistan has postponed a scheduled visit to the White House next week by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz amid an international focus on Pakistan's potential links to this month's London bombings. Pakistani officials, however, said the decision was unrelated to the terrorism investigation.

U.S. officials billed the nuclear agreement -- which required a final three days of round-the-clock negotiations -- as a sign of India's rising prominence and dependability. According to a joint statement, Mr. Bush told Mr. Singh that "as a responsible state with advance nuclear technology, India should acquire the same benefits and advantages of other states."

The announcement drew fire from critics, who accused the Bush administration of attempting to carve out an Indian-specific exemption to the nonproliferation treaty, a step that would weaken international protocols and potentially encourage other countries, such as South Korea or Japan, to pursue nuclear weapons. "What will Russia say when they want to supply more nuclear materials or technology to Iran?" said Rep. Edward Markey (D., Mass.) a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a statement. "You can be sure that Pakistan will demand equal treatment. Will the Bush administration soon be announcing nuclear cooperation with them?"

Senior Bush administration officials, braced for such criticism, said that India was in no way comparable to states such as Iran or North Korea, and that the move wouldn't set off a new nuclear arms race. New Delhi, they insisted, has put in place what one official described as a "transparent and reliable" system of controls over its civilian program.

If the agreement wins congressional approval, Bush aides said that the U.S. would move quickly to assure that India gets new fuel supplies for its U.S.-built Tarapur reactor. The deal would open the way for unlimited U.S. sales of reactors and other nuclear technology to India, U.S. officials said.

The nuclear deal comes as the Bush administration embarks on a campaign both at home and abroad to promote nuclear energy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, particularly in large developing countries such as India and China, whose energy needs are skyrocketing.

While the nuclear deal was clearly at the top of New Delhi's wish list, Mr. Singh didn't get all that he sought. New Delhi had pushed to be recognized as an official nuclear-weapons state. The nonproliferation treaty recognizes only China, Russia, the U.S., France and Britain. Mr. Bush refused to take that step.

Mr. Bush also refused, at least for now, to back New Delhi's bid to be one of four new permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- along with Japan, Germany and Brazil. Permanent members consist of the same five countries that are officially recognized as nuclear powers. The Bush administration, however, has backed only Japan's candidacy publicly, while arguing that talk of Security Council expansion should take a back seat to much-needed reforms within the international body.

U.S. officials went out of their way to underscore India's new place in the world. "India is a rising power, a rising democratic power in the world," said Nicholas Burns, undersecretary of state for political affairs. "International institutions must reflect on the changes in the global scenario that have taken place since 1945."

The U.S. and India have set out in recent months to bridge decades-old divides between the two countries, with the Bush administration openly declaring its desire to help boost India as a "great power." The two countries last month signed a defense pact, and many analysts say the U.S. is seeking to boost its alliance with India in part to offset China's rising military and economic power in Asia.

"India and the United States share a commitment to freedom and a belief that democracy provides the best path to a more hopeful future for all people," Mr. Bush said.

Mr. Singh made his own case for India's membership in the Security Council, an issue that his government isn't giving up on. "India has a compelling case for permanent membership on the Security Council," Mr. Singh said. "We are convinced that India can significantly contribute to U.N. decision-making and capabilities."