United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006

UNITED STATES AND INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION PROMOTION ACT OF 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 28, 2006)

SPEECH OF
HON. DIANA DeGETTE
OF COLORADO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2006

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5682) to exempt from certain requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 a proposed nuclear agreement for cooperation with India:

* Ms. DEGETTE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5682, the ``United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006.''

* As the world's largest democracy in a strategically important part of the world, India is a critical ally for the United States. Continuing the process of improving our relationship is thus very important. This agreement, H.R. 5682, will help us build a stronger partnership with India by allowing the United States to provide nuclear technology and fuel in order that India may meet its growing energy needs.

* This agreement also is an improvement over the current situation with respect to India and the threat posed by the spread of nuclear weapons. As a nonsignatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), India is outside the international nuclear nonproliferation scheme. This agreement provides incentives to gain its cooperation because under H.R. 5682 the United States can only provide India nuclear assistance if the President certifies that India is taking certain specific steps to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons. These steps include the provision of a credible plan to separate its civilian and military nuclear programs, an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to apply IAEA safeguards to its civilian nuclear apparatus, and the taking of steps to prevent the export of sensitive nuclear materials or technology.

* Furthermore, after the President makes the necessary certifications, Congress still has to approve any nuclear supply agreement with India before it can go forward. This provides an opportunity for Congress to make its own independent analysis of the extent to which India has followed through on its commitment to nuclear nonproliferation.

* I do have some concerns about this legislation. It does not provide as many protections against the proliferation of nuclear weapons as I would have liked. And, I would have preferred that as a condition for aid India would at least have been required to agree to halt or limit its production of fissile material used for nuclear weapons. I will support the amendments offered by Representatives SHERMAN and BERMAN which would achieve this later goal.

* Despite the fact that it is not perfect, H.R. 5682 is a net plus for the United States and

the world. This legislation and the resulting nuclear supply agreements with India should improve an important strategic relationship and reduce the likelihood nuclear weapons will fall into the hands of those wish to do us harm, including rogue states and terrorists.

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