India
'natural partner' with U.S., leader says
WASHINGTON (AP) — India is a resolute U.S.
partner in the war on terrorism and a responsible
nuclear power, India's prime minister told Congress
on Tuesday as he promoted new nuclear cooperation
between the two countries.
Manmohan Singh, in an address to a joint meeting
of Congress, spoke broadly of how the world's
oldest and largest democracies, once estranged
by Cold War politics, were "natural partners."
There is "a convergence in our perceptions
of a rapidly transforming global environment,
bringing us much closer together now than at
any time in the past," Singh said, mentioning
collaboration ranging from developing high-tech
industries to helping tsunami victims.
But it was his remarks on nuclear energy cooperation
that drew the most attention, coming a day after
President Bush, at a White House meeting with
Singh, offered U.S. help in India's civilian
nuclear program.
For the United States to help with India's
civilian power program — perhaps including
supplying fuel for India's nuclear reactors
at Tarapur near Bombay — Congress would
have to approve changes in U.S. law. Objections
are expected, given India's refusal to sign
the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. India remains
one of only four countries with nuclear weapons
that have not signed the treaty.
India exploded its first nuclear device in
1974. Three more blasts in 1998 led to sanctions
by the United States, Japan and Germany.
"Cleaner energy resources, including nuclear
power, are vital for the future of both our
economies," Bush said.
"India's track record in nuclear nonproliferation
is impeccable," Singh said to applause
from the crowded House chamber. "India,
as a responsible nuclear power, is fully conscious
of the immense responsibilities that come with
the possession of advanced technologies, both
civilian and strategic."
The speech to the joint meeting of the House
and Senate, only the eighth by a foreign visitor
in the last five years, preceded a day of events
on Capitol Hill, including a lunch with lawmakers,
a meeting with members of the House International
Relations Committee and sessions with Senate
Majority Leader Bill Frist and other leaders.
Standing before Vice President Dick Cheney,
the president of the Senate, and House Speaker
Dennis Hastert, Singh listed oil and gas exploration,
farm and water programs, AIDS programs and the
fight against terrorism as other areas where
the two countries can work together.
He also pressed India's case for a permanent
seat on the U.N. Security Council, an idea that
does not now have U.S. support. "You would
agree with me that the voice of the world's
largest democracy surely cannot be left unheard
on the Security Council when the United Nations
is being restructured," he said to applause.
Singh's speech was the first by an Indian leader
since former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
in 2000. Such occasions are typically reserved
for the United States' closest allies.
"The relationship between our two nations
has never been stronger," Bush told Singh
on Monday during an elaborate White House welcome,
complete with a fife-and-drum corps in full
Revolutionary-era regalia.
Singh was honored Monday night with a grand
White House dinner — only the fifth of
Bush's presidency and the first since his re-election.
