The role of Congress in US-India nuclear deal

A deeply flawed US-India nuclear cooperation agreement that looked dead two months ago has suddenly sprung back to life. Three recent events have revived this once-moribund nuclear deal: In late July the Indian Parliament narrowly approved the deal in a highly contentious vote. Then on August 1, the International Atomic Energy Agency consented to an inspection regime that will allow it to monitor India's civilian nuclear reactors. Finally, on September 6, heavy-handed pressure from the US forced the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group to also acquiesce to the deal. This agreement, which must still be approved by Congress, would give India special world-wide access to nuclear technology and fuels such as enriched uranium. This deal creates a dangerous and hypocritical double standard that will make it more difficult to convince other nuclear nations like Pakistan to stop enlarging and improving their arsenals. While it may seem comforting that the deal allows the IAEA to monitor India's 14 civilian nuclear reactors, India also has eight military nuclear reactors that will remain off-limits to IAEA inspections. If Congress approves this deal, it will essentially be giving India free rein to accelerate South Asia's nuclear arms race. Although the agreement's supporters, including President Bush, claim it will strengthen US-India relations, there are many other, more constructive ways to accomplish that objective.