nuclear deal

President Pratibha Patil on Monday hailed the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, noting that India’s tradition of peace and brotherhood helped it gain international acceptance to trade in nuclear energy without signing the NPT or the CTBT.

“Because of India’s tradition of brotherhood ingrained in our psyche the world recognises India as a peaceful nation. This has helped us gain acceptance from international community to use nuclear energy peacefully, despite not signing the NPT or the CTBT,” Patil said.

Celebrating the passage of Indo-US civil nuclear deal by a thumping majority of 86-13 votes in the Senate, US Ambassador to India David Mulford said on Thursday that it is a great day for both the democracies and deal has finally become a reality.

The US Congress today approved the Indo-US civil nuclear deal when the Senate overwhelmingly voted a Bill rejecting all the killer amendments, and paving the way for the implementation of the historic initiative between the two countries.

Cooperation in space is an important part of India’s strategic partnership with France, said Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon on Tuesday after signing of the civil nuclear deal.

“A new dimension was added to our strategic partnership with the signing of inter-governmental agreement on civil nuclear cooperation,” said Menon, adding that it is the first such agreement that the country has entered into after the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the civil nuclear cooperation agreement between India and France added a new dimension to their strategic partnership.

"Today we have added a new dimension to our strategic partnership by signing an inter-governmental agreement on civil nuclear cooperation," Singh said in a statement after his talks with French President Nicholas Sarkozy during which the landmark nuclear agreement was inked.

India’s re-entry into the global nuclear trade market after 34 years was achieved today with the historical signing of a bilateral agreement for civil nuclear cooperation with France.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and the chief of the Department of Atomic Energy signed the agreement in the French President’s office in the Champs Elysee here in the presence of President Nicholas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Ending 34 years of nuclear trade isolation, India and France today finalized a landmark agreement on civil nuclear cooperation, covering the supply of reactors and atomic fuel.

The agreement is to be initialled this afternoon after summit talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

They will form the basis of wide ranging bilateral cooperation from basic and applied research to full civil nuclear cooperation including reactors and fuel supplies, nuclear safety, radiation and environment protection and nuclear fuel cycle management.

The Indian American community here has welcomed the passing of the bill related to the US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal, saying its expected final approval into law by next week, would go a long way in enhancing the strategic relationship between the two countries.

Interacting with ANI on the sidelines of a reception for Indian Americans that was attended by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, a couple of them praised Dr. Singh for his tenacity and will power in staying the course and not succumbing to the opposition’s pressure.

President George W Bush congratulated the US House of Representatives for passing the Indo-US civil nuclear deal by thumping majority, and urged the Senate to quickly follow suit.

“I urge the Senate to quickly take up and pass this important piece of legislation before their October adjournment,” he said in a statement, as the House approved the implementing 123 Agreement by an overwhelming 298 to 117 vote.

India and France will discuss nuclear cooperation during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh''s visit to Paris, said Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon.

"It is on the agenda. We are working on it with them for some time.

India and France will discuss nuclear cooperation during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh''s visit to Paris, said Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon.

"It is on the agenda. We are working on it with them for some time.