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Providing for Consideration of H.R. 5682, United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006

Date: July 26, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Foreign Affairs


PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5682, UNITED STATES AND INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION PROMOTION ACT OF 2006

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and in support of the bill.

India has been a strong U.S. ally and should be viewed as a credible and worthy nation of our help and support. India is ready to accept all the responsibilities of the world's leading states with respect to advanced nuclear technology.

India has no record of proliferating dual-use nuclear technology to other countries. It understands the danger of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and has agreed to key international nonproliferation requirements. India has committed to separate its military and peaceful programs and adhere to international nuclear and missile control restrictions. It is actively working with the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the International Atomic Energy Agency to place all of its nuclear facilities under international safeguards.

This nuclear agreement strengthens energy security for the U.S. and India and promotes the development of stable and efficient energy markets in India. Development and expansion of U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation should over time lessen India's dependence on imported hydrocarbons, including those from Iran.

Today, the world's two largest democracies have established a remarkable strategic partnership. A civil nuclear cooperation would be a great accomplishment. Its implementation is important for national security and for U.S.-India relations. I urge my colleagues to vote an ``aye'' on this bill.

I want to commend the chairman and the ranking member for their hard work in constructing a bill that both the administration and the House could support. Their version will set the process by which Congress will in the future review and vote on the final framework agreement to implement the nuclear cooperation deal.

Based on their shared values of diversity, democracy and prosperity, the United States and India have a natural connection. Recently, we fostered a transformed relationship that is central to the future success of the international community; and this important legislation would solidify this relationship.

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