While these issues are important, they need not necessarily be deal breakers. As the Chairman of the Department of Atomic Energy, Anil Kakodkar, had told the press a while ago that India is self-sufficient in enrichment, reprocessing, and heavy water production technologies and is not looking for international collaboration.

In the next few weeks, India will have to demonstrate a measure of pragmatism on what it can live with and what it cannot accept at all in the final nuclear legislation. In debating the language of the bill, India cannot forget for a moment the larger goal it had self years ago—getting out of the nuclear limbo that India found itself in after its first nuclear test in May 1974.

Meanwhile Bush himself had objected to some of the language in the bills as violating the President’s constitutional prerogative to conduct foreign policy. Bush had repeatedly assured Singh that the final version of the bill he would eventually sign would indeed be in tune with the July 2005 agreement.

What happens next

Expected by Dec first week:

• Conference to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the Bill

• Bills go to respective chambers of the Congress for vote

• No amendments can be introduced. A simple yes and no vote.

• Bill stands approved, sent for Presidential Consent

• Law will authorise US to finalise a bilateral agreement for civil nuclear cooperation with India