Bush signs India nuclear deal

President Bush on Wednesday signed a U.S.-India nuclear deal that was years in the making and allows American companies to enter India’s multi-billion-dollar nuclear energy sector. 

The president touted the deal as good for the economy and for the environment, because it would give India access to cleaner energy.

{mosads}“The United States will gain access to a growing market for civilian nuclear technologies and materials that will help American businesses create more jobs for our people here at home,” Bush said at the signing ceremony.

He lauded Congress for passing the measure. The House backed the bill by a vote of 298-117, surpassing the necessary two-thirds majority. All but 10 voting Republicans in the House supported the legislation, which also received the backing of more than half of the Democrats.

The measure passed the Senate on October 1 with a vote of 86-13. Both presidential candidates, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), voted for the bill.

Critics of the legislation argue that the agreement could free up some of India’s domestic fuel supply, which could be used for the country’s military program. This, critics claim, could lead to an arms race in Asia.

The law does not allow U.S. companies to provide materials to India’s military nuclear plants — only civilian facilities that are used to generate energy for India’s 1.13 billion people.

Bush also praised the agreement for providing another link between the U.S. and the world’s largest democracy.

“India and the United States will cooperate more closely to keep the world’s most dangerous weapons out of the hands of extremists and terrorists,” he said, adding, “Nations that follow the path of democracy and responsible behavior will find a friend in the United States of America."