Bush and Singh in nuclear talks

Oh, I see!  Unless the US have something to do with it, other nations must not develop anything with the word "nuclear" in it.

Blatant hypocracy.  Double standard.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5186328.stm  

US President and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have held talks to discuss a proposed landmark nuclear deal between the two countries.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G8 summit in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

The controversial deal would give India access to US nuclear technology.

It reverses US policy which had restricted nuclear co-operation since India tested a nuclear weapon in 1974.

The agreement was finalised during US President George W Bush's visit to India in March.

The accord has been hailed as historic by some, but critics say it will damage non-proliferation efforts.

A US Senate committee and a House of Representatives panel backed the deal last month.

Reports said Mr Singh sought Mr Bush's support for successful completion of the deal during the 40-minute meeting.

"There are some concerns which worry us and worry our parliament," Mr Singh was quoted telling Mr Bush during the meeting by the Press Trust of India.

"We are a democracy and we are accountable to the parliament which zealously keeps a watch on what we do and what we do not," the report quoted him saying.

Mr Bush was quoted telling Mr Singh that he was "optimistic" about the deal being passed.

"It's an important piece of legislation. I'm optimistic we'll get that passed," the Associated Press quoted him telling the Indian prime minister before the meeting.

Energy hungry India needs nuclear power.

The final vote on the proposed agreement is not expected till the middle of July.

The proposed agreement reverses US policy to restrict nuclear co-operation with Delhi because it has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and has twice tested nuclear weapons in 1974 and 1998.

Terrorism

Under the deal, energy-hungry India will get access to US civil nuclear technology and fuel, in return for opening its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection.

But its nuclear weapons sites will remain off-limits. (and Bush agrees to this??)

[ Last edited by  samerosie at 17-7-2006 03:16 PM ]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4777718.stm

Remember, India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and its military programme will still be hidden away from international inspections.

The favouritism being shown to India is making other countries in the region wary

Some US politicians say that India is being rewarded for bad behaviour. Others fear the deal will send out entirely the wrong signal to Iran.

And President Bush's arguments so far have not been convincing.

He believes that helping India with its civilian nuclear programme will ease pressure on diminishing oil supplies. Well, not for a long time yet.

He also has to convince the international community that the US was right to bend the rules just for India.
'Favouritism'

The favouritism being shown to India is making other countries in the region wary.

Bush's South Asia tour sparked protests in three countries

Pakistan's President Musharraf has already asked for the same kind of help and been rebuffed. The US essentially says Pakistan cannot yet be trusted.

China - the major power in the region - will watch with some suspicion as to how the Indo-US relationship develops. Is India now a rival? How will Beijing now challenge America's influence?

Even though President Bush can look back on this visit with some satisfaction, he will also have been fully aware of the controversy he still creates.

sedondon

DOUBLE STANDARD!!!!!