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U.S., India, Agree to Expand Nuclear Cooperation
The United States and India will increase cooperation in several areas, including civilian nuclear activities, U.S. President George W. Bush announced yesterday (see GSN, Oct. 24, 2003). The two countries have agreed to increase cooperation in civilian nuclear activities, civilian space programs and high-technology trade, Bush said yesterday in a statement. In addition, the United States and India will also increase talks on missile defense, he said. “Cooperation in these areas will deepen the ties of commerce and friendship between our two nations, and will increase stability in Asia and beyond,” Bush said. According to Bush, the increased U.S.-Indian cooperation will be achieved “through a series of reciprocal steps,” such as increased engagement on nuclear regulatory issues. In addition, Bush said, regulations and procedures to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction will be strengthened and measures will be undertaken to improve U.S.-Indian nonproliferation cooperation. “We are partners in the war on terrorism and we are partners in controlling the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them,” Bush said (White House release, Jan. 12). Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said today that the increased cooperation “is an important milestone in transforming the relationship between India and the United States of America” (Indian External Affairs Ministry release, Jan. 13). The United States expects India to develop improved export controls to prevent WMD proliferation, but it will not be asked to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, a senior Bush administration official said. U.S. officials said that India would not receive substantial technology until improved export controls are implemented. “We see desire, we see intention, we see willingness,” said a senior U.S. State Department official. “They need to enhance their regulations and their enforcement. We’ve seen them attempting to take steps, attempting to enforce this law or that law, but in many cases they can’t finish the job,” the official said. The official also said that the increased cooperation is expected to be a long-term effort. “We’ve started something today and not completed anything,” the official said (Peter Slevin, Washington Post, Jan. 13).
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