Thursday, January 12 2006 18:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Backing the Indo-US nuclear deal, influential Opposition Democratic Party Senator John Kerry today (Jan 12,2006)said the agreement would have 'enormous benefits' for the two countries besides having impact globally.

Kerry, who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here yesterday (Jan11,2006), said the latter had conveyed to him India's readiness to sign the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).

"In principle, I support the (nuclear) deal. It is a great game, a positive game, for India, for the US and the global community," he told a press conference here about the July 18 agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation signed by Singh and U S President George W Bush in Washington.

He said the deal will have 'enormous benefits' bilaterally for India and the US besides having implications at the global level.

The public expression of support for the deal by Kerry, who came close to defeating George W Bush in Presidential elections last year, assumes significance as his party will have a crucial role to play in ensuring the US Congress' endorsement of the agreement under which the U S would lift sanctions on trade in dual use technology with India.

With regard to how Congress will approach the deal, he said it will depend on "The four corners of the agreement".

The Senator said the deal cannot be seen only in the bilateral context as it has 'impact broader than bilateral', involving the role of three important international bodies or agreements, particularly when 'Iran and other compelling issues are on the table'.

Explaining the global aspect of the nuclear deal, Kerry said it would entail endorsement of the 35-country Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), amendment of the Atomic Energy Advisory Board and adoption of the Fissile Technology Control Regime.

Asked whether implementation of the deal would mean grant of nuclear power status to India, he said, "It will be disingenuous to suggest that if the (Indo-US) agreement (on civilian nuclear cooperation) comes through, it will not grant nuclear power status to India. Obviously, it does."

On his meeting with Singh, Kerry said the latter had told him 'clearly that India will sign Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.'

Noting that India had passed a law on prevention of non-proliferation, he said the legislation should be a part of the Indo-US nuclear agreement as it will act as an assurance with regard to guarantees under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Non-Proliferation Protocol.

"There are still a number of different avenues open to be explored and it is worthwhile to explore. There is a future ahead," said the American Senator, a strong votary of non-proliferation regime.

"In principle, it would be better to have India as a participant in the IAEA procedures and standards than not to have it," he said.

On the upcoming talks between Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns on the nuclear issue, he said the American side will talk about the 'full definition' of separation of civilian and military nuclear facilities and what it entails.

"Future history (in bilateral relations) is to be written. There is tremendous opportunity for us, if we take advantage of it and do what is needed, he said," he said.