US-India nuclear deal faces final hurdle

The United States faces a final hurdle in the implementation of a landmark civilian nuclear pact with India -- convincing lawmakers that the deal has adequate safeguards as prescribed by US law.
President George W Bush's administration said Monday it was "hopeful" the US Congress would endorse the agreement, which would lift a ban on nuclear trade with India after three decades, before his term ends in January.
But lawmakers who began a short final session Monday ahead of a presidential vote on November 4 have sought greater transparency on the deal, especially details of its approval by the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) last week.
The greenlight from the NSG, a regulator of sale of nuclear fuel and technology, came after countries such as China, New Zealand, Austria and Ireland expressed reservation about opening up nuclear commerce with India, which is not a member of the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
"Before we vote, Congress needs to study the NSG decision, along with any agreements that were made behind the scenes to bring it about," said Howard Berman, chairman of the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee.
Berman, who plays an influential role in rallying House support for the deal, has demanded that any final agreement must be consistent with a special law -- the Hyde Act -- passed overwhelmingly in 2006 laying the foundation for the nuclear deal.
A key condition under the law is immediate termination of all nuclear commerce by NSG member states if India detonates a nuclear explosive device.