: We are writing to urge you to pass, as quickly as possible, the Congressional resolution of approval that will permit final implementation of the US-India agreement on civil nuclear cooperation (“123 Agreement”) that President Bush has sent to Congress. Allthe signatories of this letter are long-time South Asia specialists; many of them have held senior positions in the US Government in the past.
No issue is more vital to the future of the US-India partnership than this legislation. The Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 passed both houses of Congress with large bipartisan majorities and was signed into law by President Bush on December 18, 2006. In 2007, we negotiated the bilateral cooperation agreement. In July 2008, the Indian government put its existence on the line and obtained parliamentary support for the agreement. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group have taken the steps needed to implement the agreement, fulfilling the conditions stipulated in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Hyde Act.
India, like us, faces national elections soon — no later than May 2009. Now that the hard work of negotiating has been done, both bilaterally and internationally, it is essential to seize the moment and pass the implementing legislation. A failure by Congress to take the final action implementing this agreement would be a severe setback to the strategic gains both the US and India hope to gain from their partnership. It would also put US industry at a deep disadvantage, now that other states can freely participate in civil nuclear cooperation with India.
Common strategic interests: In proposing the agreement, the Bush administration stressed three factors: the geo-strategic significance of our emerging relationship with India; India’s excellent record in safeguarding nuclear technology; and India’s massive future energy needs. All three arguments are as powerful as ever. With its growing economy and powerful military position, India has become a global partner for the United States and is shaping the future of Asia. There is a striking convergence of interests between India and the US on issues vital to us. India has taken a strong stand against international terrorism. It is one of the largest economic contributors to reconstruction in Afghanistan. It is the primary resident naval force in the Indian Ocean, and works with us to maintain the security of the sea-lanes through which most of the worlds oil...
