Even as the red carpet was rolled out for the Indian premier Dr. Manmohan Singh with the pomp and ceremony accorded only to four other leaders in five years, President Bush in an unprecedent move brought India closer to being a member of the club of nuclear-weapons states, agreeing to provide fuel for its Atomic Power plants, through cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy.
The two countries, reaching a milestone in their relationship after implementing the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP), held discussions at the White House for nearly two hours on the second day of the Indian premier's three-day state visit. The move if approved by other nuclear countries and Congress, enabled the lifting of export licences by US for unilaterally controlled nuclear items to most end users, while revising licences for certain items of safeguard in civil nuclear power facilities. The details announced at a joint press conference by President Bush and Dr.Manmohan Singh, also outlined their agreement to increase cooperation in the areas of civilian nuclear energy, space and high technology. Consequentially, India could obtain nuclear fuel and reactor components from the US and other countries, in return for allowing international inspections and safeguards on civilian nuclear facilities besides refraining from further weapons tests or transfer of arms technology to other countries.
However, the discussions did not lead to a change in US policy on Kashmir, which President Bush reiterated at the press conference saying that the sanctity of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir should be maintained and that India and Pakistan should mutually resolve the Kashmir issue. Bush however added that he was "pleased with the progress" made by India and Pakistan in this context.
Though scientific and economic links between the two countries have been strong since the early 1960s, the signing of a series of agreements in the field of energy, science and technology, enhancement of economic dialogue and global democracy strengthened ties to a new level. The agreement signed on science and technology aims to promote mutual beneficial technological and scientific cooperation, for the first time recognizing intellectual property right protocols and provisions necessary to conduct collaborative research. It is anticipated that this will facilitate cooperation between Indian and US scientists in government agencies, private sector and academia for subjects like basic sciences, space, energy, nano-technology, health and information technology.
Indicating that the transformation of the Indo-US ties reflected in the coordinated post-tsunami relief operations in Asia, Bush said, "The US and India have built a relationship of great potential. We look forward to building on the bilateral ties to create peace and prosperity for our children and grandchildren". While Singh responded thanking Bush for the "warm welcome" accorded and the "greatly valued" invitational visit to Washington that augured hope for further transformation and partnership. He also noted that US and India shared an ethos of democracy, human rights, pluralism and rule of law, facing similar "challenges” to “our way of life” and sharing “a common resolve” to meet them.
Marking the first official visit of Dr. Manmohan Singh since his prime ministership, the 19-gun salute welcome was termed as one with full state honours. Both sides of the White House were decked with American and Indian flags, warming the hearts of the large populace of Indian Americans. The White House lawns also bore a festive look as hundreds of Indian Americans descended there in their traditional attire. And even as Manmohan Singh prepared to speak, members of the audience cheered him chanting "Jo Bole So Nihal".
Though Pakistan did not react immediately to America’s step, it is likely to demand similar concessions from the US, which analysts believe could weaken international controls on nuclear arms. American efforts for ties with India, balancing China’s economic status in the region, had been disrupted after the Sep.11 attacks, to an extent by America’s decision to provide military aid to Pakistan. However, it is not clear how the Bush administration plans to persuade the Congress and the other major nuclear-armed nations - Britain, France, China and Russia - to go along with this change.
