Bush Hears Indian Concerns Over U.S. Law

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh complained yesterday of having “some concerns” over a law signed this week by U.S. President George W. Bush to pave the way for U.S.-Indian nuclear trade (see GSN, Dec. 21).

In a five-minute telephone call between the two leaders, “the prime minister said India still has some concerns, though many have already been addressed by the president’s signing statement,” said a release from Singh’s office.

Bush signed legislation Monday exempting India from U.S. nuclear nonproliferation laws.  Both leaders had expressed wariness that U.S. lawmakers were trying to install too many conditions on the planned trade deal, and Bush issued a signing statement declaring that he considered some of the legislative provisions to be “advisory,” not binding (see GSN, Dec. 19; Associated Press/International Herald Tribune, Dec. 21).

Bush’s move angered some Democrats in Congress.

“With his recent signing statement, once again the president has shown he views Congress as a nuisance rather than an equal branch of government,” said Iowa Senator Tom Harkin (Brian Knowlton, International Herald Tribune, Dec. 21).

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