Friday, June 23 2006 10:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The Bush administration Thursday made a forceful plea to Congress to quickly approve the India-US nuclear deal, warning that any changes or delays could jeopardise the evolving strategic partnership between the two countries.

Choosing to deliver the message at the US-India Business Council's Leadership Summit here, Vice President Richard Cheney said the deal symbolising the great potential of the US-India relationship was one of the most important strategic foreign policy initiatives of the government.

"There is a great deal of discussion in India's parliament and the US Congress about what this deal means for both our countries, and that's how democracies do business. At the same time, given this agreement's strategic importance, we must be sure that amendments or delays on the US side do not risk wasting this critical opportunity," he said. At the same time, both President Bush and he were confident that the agreement will receive the strong bipartisan support it deserves, he said as if to reassure the gathering of American and Indian captains of industry and high government officials, including Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath.

The Indian American Caucus in the US Senate is led by Republican Senator John Cornyn and Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton, while Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Democratic Representative Gary Ackerman headed the one in the House, he noted.

"We encourage these members to use their leadership role to help usher through a critical agreement that benefits both the United States and our friends in India," Cheney said, expressing the hope that Congress will move quickly to enact legislation that enables the two nations to move forward on this important agreement without delay.

"A strategic partnership in the 21st century also requires a new and realistic approach to nuclear energy," said the vice president, who was presented the USIBC's distinguished service award for 'exemplary leadership' in uniting the two countries.

Cheney offered four key arguments for changing US policy to bring it in line with modern realities, describing it as the primary purpose of the Civil Nuclear Initiative agreed between President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

First, there is no question that nuclear power is critical to meeting India's energy needs. Given the forecast for India's increased energy needs in the future, diversifying India's sources of energy is important in relation to the world energy market and to US energy prices.

And as the United States begins a serious effort to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, it makes sense to encourage others to do the same. The initiative will also create new business opportunities for US firms, which translates into new jobs for American workers.

Second, India will enter the international non-proliferation mainstream by separating its civil and military nuclear programme, adopting international safeguards, and conforming to international standards.

"In a time when terrorists are bound and determined to gain access to weapons of mass destruction, nothing is more important than keeping weapons of mass destruction, in particular nuclear technology, out of the wrong hands. So India's commitment to non-proliferation clearly serves the interests of us all," he said.

Third, India has a very good non-proliferation track record. India has no interest in the spread of this deadly technology, and by taking additional steps to secure its nuclear materials and technology, India continues to build upon this track record.

Fourth, like the United States, India is an open, transparent society with a vigorous political process, an energetic free press, oversight and accountability. The Indian people and their leaders understand the responsibilities of a nuclear nation. Indeed, they have acted more responsibly than some countries that actually signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"It is only right and sensible that we begin cooperating with India on civil nuclear programmes. A civil nuclear deal is plainly in the interests of both countries economically, environmentally and from the standpoint of our national security," Cheney concluded.