US set to clear India nuclear deal

[Savage]

A controversial deal to help India develop civilian nuclear facilities has cleared another hurdle in the US Congress boosting its chances of winning full approval in coming weeks.

From the article

...Others greeted the deal as a sign of a geopolitical re-alliance following the Cold War, which had seen India stand close to Moscow while Washington supported its rival Pakistan.

"For the US and India today, however, our national interests are in concert perhaps more so than at any time in the past," said Democratic Senator Joseph Biden before the vote.

He said the agreement would allow India to "jump-start its quest for alternate energy source-wells" as its economy booms.

Proponents gave equally strong support as the measure - forged last year by Bush and Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister – was passed by the House committee on Tuesday.

"This is a defining moment in our relationship with the great nation of India," said Representative Tom Lantos, the panel's top Democrat and a primary sponsor of the bill.

A senior Indian official in New Delhi welcomed the House panel's vote, telling reporters a “major hurdle” had been cleared in the implementation of the deal.