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U.S.-India Nuclear Deal

123 Agreement

India successfully tested a nuclear weapon in 1974 and again in 1998 and is presumed to possess a small stockpile of such weapons. Its leaders have refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and adhere to international rules and standards related to nuclear technology. The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of 45 countries that control the international sale of nuclear technology. On September 6, 2008, the NSG agreed to grant India a waiver from existing rules, which forbid nuclear trade with a country which has not signed the NPT. The decision represents a dangerous set-back for global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology and further undermines the NPT. Giving special exceptions to India is a blatant double standard that undermines global efforts to persuade Iran, North Korea and other countries to stop pursuit of the bomb.

This unique deal for India paves the way for congressional approval of a specific U.S-India nuclear trade agreement, the so-called 123 agreement first signed by President Bush and Indian Premier Manmohan Singh in 2005.

The U.S.-India deal would allow U.S. companies to provide India with nuclear power technology, training and material, facilitating their pursuit of more nuclear weapons. Allowing the deal to proceed as is would be a major setback for nuclear non-proliferation.

Both Senators John McCain and Barack Obama endorse the India deal, and the Bush administration is pushing hard to get the 123 agreement approved by Congress before it adjourns. The House narrowly approved the measure last Saturday. The fate of the bill now lies with the Senate. Under Senate rules, any senator can place a hold on a bill or refuse to consent to consideration of the bill. The Senate operates under a unanimous consent tradition that gives individual senators tremendous influence in stopping legislation from being considered.

Senators need to oppose the deal, regardless of the political pressure. Comprehensive hearings should be held after the November election, so Congress has the time to fully consider the implications of the agreement.