India has “difficult choices” to make on a controversial civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States before the deal can be completed, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday. The landmark accord, agreed in principle in July but still to be negotiated in detail, would grant New Delhi access to civil nuclear technology it has been denied for three decades, provided it puts its civilian facilities under international inspections. Senior-level talks in New Delhi last week failed to close the gap on major issues, including which Indian facilities would be designated as civilian and military. The military plants would still be off-limits to U.N. monitors. “In order to move on to a new phase in which civil nuclear power would be available to India, India has to make some difficult choices,” Rice told Reuters in an interview. She refused to provide any details but insisted, “I think we’re making progress.”
Although announced with great fanfare, the deal has run into criticism from nuclear experts and some members of the U.S. Congress who say it undermines global nonproliferation goals. A related issue is whether India will side with the United States when the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors debates Iran’s nuclear program at a February 2 meeting. Washington and major European powers say Iran is developing a bomb and wants the case referred to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions. Tehran denies the charge and is fighting referral. The U.S. ambassador to India said on Wednesday if India did not back the U.S. position, the nuclear agreement could be in trouble. The United States and India are trying to resolve differences before President George W. Bush visits New Delhi in March. Rice did not speak directly of the Iran vote in the IAEA. She said the nuclear agreement presented “a difficult set of issues.” “But it’s very important to understand that in order to satisfy the concerns of the American Congress and our laws and the concerns of the (44-nation) Nuclear Suppliers Group, that there will have to be some steps taken to make sure that the proliferation risks are not enhanced by this deal,” she said. Both the U.S. Congress and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, which sets rules for nuclear-related commerce, must approve the agreement. For 30 years, the United States led the effort to deny India nuclear technology because it tested and developed nuclear weapons in contravention of international norms. Both India and its neighbor and nuclear-armed rival Pakistan have refused to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Bush now views India, a rising democratic and economic power on China’s border, as an evolving U.S. ally and the new nuclear deal – allowing India to purchase nuclear reactors and fuel – is central to that vision.
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
India is just like Russia and china they will look out for benefit first, and they will buckle with slightest pressure its no point Iran relying on them for support. Just like Iraq found out the hardway when Gulf War I & II happened when they needed support from russia china ect the kafir no where to be found and they are friends of each other!
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
rest assured India will go ahead with the deal as opposed to some colony called pakistan whoce sheif says pleas let us know in advance before killing opur people usa says sorry buddy we can;t trust you we will bomb u whenever we feel like without letting u know ..........and btw communist's soundbites hardly matter ( these guys are clowns before Independence they used to pro-british suddenly after independence they are pro swadeshi anything related to britan usa becomes anathema to them)....
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
"If you want to run with the big dogs, you have to stop pissing with the puppies"
USA = big dog
Iran = puppy
this populist indian support for iran and hatred for america is pathetic and counterproductive. Indians need to wake up and realize that Iran is infinitely less important than the US, and relationships should be prioritized as such.
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
I wish Bharat does it. Because many Iranians seem to think of India as their reliable friend.
Looks like everyone starts thinking of Hindus as their friend, and end up distancing himself from them. Everytime it happens because of ‘baghal mein churi, munh mein Raam Raam’ stuff from Hindus. Quaide Azam was a supporter of Hindu-Muslim unity. Same for Allam Iqbal, Sir Syed Ahmed, and tomorrow it is going to be Iran.
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
^
India desperately, desperately needs Iranian energy resources, especially as it is losing to China in neigbouring like Myanmar. Poor India is in a right old bind as they say.
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
^ and probably banya’s like nikhil can not bear their sarkar supporting any Muslim or Muslim government. He seems to be loosing sleep on it. Just look at his face.
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
Iran and reliable friendwell in 65 war Iran opened its air-strip for pakistan airforce to station their fighter planes away from indian air force penetration, so much for friendhsip..... there is no friend or foe in world politics anyway
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
when ahmadinejad opened his mouth he sealed the fate of the iranian extremists. India cannot support such dangerous terrorists.
As to those who mock India for supporting the US efforts, they should look at the free reign the US forces have with their own borders, being 'front line' state
Re: India has hard choices on US nuclear deal: Rice
Just Like Pak helped Afgans when they are mostly in need of ur help.
Dont forget pak kafirs where only one of very few governments who
recognized Thaliban Govt.
Anyway as a gift frm US u Paks got a perment US base on ur land…
Nice repay frm US ha ha ha
It’s a forced mujraa on gunpoint, the nuke co-operation deal is all too enticing 
I bet PAF destroyed Russkie junk all the way from Iran…