Washington:Addressing India's concerns on certain provisions in the US Congressional legislation on the nuclear deal, President George W Bush has assured New Delhi that the new law makes no changes on fuel supply assurance commitments or the terms of the 123 agreement.
Signing the bill into law at a ceremony in the White House, Bush said "the bill I sign today approves the 123 agreement I submitted to Congress and establishes the legal framework for that agreement to come into effect."
Maintaining that the bill was clear that the agreement with India was consistent with the Atomic Energy Act and other elements of the US law, he said "the legislation makes no changes to the terms of the 123 agreement" sent to the Congress and accept on behalf of the US all the obligations that were part of the accord.
In an apparent attempt to assuage Indian apprehensions, Bush said in a statement that "the legislation does not change the fuel assurance commitments that the US Government has made to the Government of India as recorded in the 123 agreement.
"The agreement also grants India advance consent to reprocessing--which will be brought into effect upon the conclusion of arrangements and procedures for a dedicated reprocessing facility under IAEA safeguards.
Bushs signing of the bill into law paves the way for External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to ink the 123 agreement with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday evening (IST 0130 hrs on Saturday).
The two could not sign the agreement in New Delhi last week as India waited for Bush to clear the law and for his assurances on commitments made earlier in the light of the Congressional law that has provisions under which the US could terminate nuclear cooperation with India in case it conducts a nuclear test.
Describing Bushs signing of the legislation into law a "new beginning" in bilateral ties, Indian Ambassador to US, Ronen Sen, said New Delhis concerns on certain provisions of the bill have been addressed.
"Absolutely", remarked Sen when asked if the Presidents address at the signing of the legislation met all of India's concerns.
"I think the statement (of Bush) speaks for itself... All concerns that have been expressed (by those)who fear the implications of certain elements of the legislation. All those have been met," Sen said in response to a query on fuel supply assurances.
