Bush, India Reach Nuclear Energy Agreement

Enoch · Mar 2, 2006

NEW DELHI, India — President Bush scored a victory Thursday on his first trip to India, a landmark nuclear energy agreement that he says could ease U.S. energy prices.

Bush acknowledged it will be difficult to persuade Congress to support the agreement, in which the United States would share its nuclear know-how and fuel with India. But he said he's confident Congress will approve the deal so India can power its fast-growing economy without expanding the world demand for oil.

Critics in Congress say the United States is making an exception for India, which has nuclear weapons but won't sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

"Proliferation is certainly a concern and a part of our discussions, and we've got a good-faith gesture by the Indian government that I'll be able to take to the Congress," Bush said.

"But the other thing that our Congress has got to understand is that it's in our economic interests that India have a civilian nuclear power industry to help take the pressure off the global demand for energy," the president said. "To the extent that we can reduce demand for fossil fuels, it will help the American consumer."

The agreement between the world's oldest and largest democracies was a political coup, too, for Singh. "We made history," he said, standing alongside Bush in a sunwashed courtyard.

The two announced new bilateral cooperation on an array of issues from investment to trade, health to the environment, agriculture to technology, and even mangoes. "Mr. Prime Minister, the United States is looking forward to eating Indian mangoes," Bush said of a provision that will bring the country's beloved fruit to the U.S. for the first time in nearly two decades.
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The Galatian · Mar 3, 2006

This is a great victory. India, a democracy, and an up-and-coming power, is a natural ally of the US.

We need to work with India.

Bush handled this one well.

LadyEagle · Mar 4, 2006

I disagree. We have nothing to gain by giving our nuclear secrets away to any other country. I'm glad Congress will have to weigh in on this agreement he signed. Bush has gone off the deep end and his true colors are really showing this last term of his presidency.

"But the other thing that our Congress has got to understand is that it's in our economic interests that India have a civilian nuclear power industry to help take the pressure off the global demand for energy," the president said. "To the extent that we can reduce demand for fossil fuels, it will help the American consumer."

What a bologna sandwich. We have nuclear power plants in our own country, yet our demand for fossil fuels is higher than ever. So, puleeeese!

KenH · Mar 4, 2006

Originally posted by The Galatian:
We need to work with India.
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I agree, Galatian. India can be a counterweight to the growing influence of China in south Asia.

More nuclear plants will cut down on the use of oil to generate electricity. However, we still have the increasing demand to use oil as a liquid fuel in the form of gasoline.

The Galatian · Mar 5, 2006

India has a huge, well-educated population of people who think democracy is a good thing. They even speak English.

In time, we will be grateful for Bush's efforts in this one. Credit where credit is due.

Bush, India Reach Nuclear Energy Agreement

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