According
to David Mulford, US ambassador to India, a large majority
would pass the India-US nuclear bill, when the Senate
votes on it later in the month.
Mulford
was participating at a Indo-US business summit in New
Delhi.
Though
an overwhelming majority in the US House of Representatives
had approved it in July, several Indian strategic analysts
fear objections by supporters of nuclear non-proliferation.
After approval by the Senate, the bill has to be approved
by the Senate and the Nuclear Suppliers Group of nations.
The non-proliferation lobby in the US has said the deal
would encourage arms proliferation by India, which is
not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Opposition
leaders and prominent members of India''s scientific community
fear that the US legislative process could lead to changes
in the original deal of July 18 that would go against
India''s long-term strategic interests.
Some
changes such as clause requiring an annual presidential
certification that India was honouring its commitments
and a condition that nuclear cooperation would end if
it tests an atomic devise were sought to be added by some
non-proliferationists.
New
Delhi has repeatedly warned that any changes could destroy
the pact.
Mulford
described these fears as unfounded and said that the US
would honour the agreement that had been reached and that
the goalposts
were not being moved. The Ambassador added that when finally
implemented, "the agreement will mark a new level
of trust and cooperation in our partnership."
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