Today, President Bush Signed The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy
Cooperation Act. This Act will strengthen the partnership between the
world's two largest democracies and help our countries meet the energy and
security challenges of the 21st century.
This Act Is An Important Step That Will Help Allow Us To Share Civilian
Nuclear Technology And Bring India's Civilian Nuclear Program Under The
Safeguards Of The International Atomic Energy Agency. On his visit to
India earlier this year, President Bush reached an historic agreement with
Indian Prime Minister Singh, under which the United States and India
committed to take a series of steps to make nuclear cooperation a reality.
The bill the President signed today is one of the most important of these
steps. Nuclear cooperation will help the people of India produce more of
their energy from clean, safe civilian nuclear power, help both our
economies grow, and make America more secure.
America And India Are United By Deeply Held Values. Our two great
democracies are allies in the War on Terror, partners in global trade, and
stewards of our environment. India is a democracy that protects the rule
of law and is accountable to its people, and an open society that defends
freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
The United States And India Are Working Together To Expand Economic
Opportunities In Both Our Countries. India's economy has more than doubled
in size since 1991, and it is one of the fastest-growing markets for
American exports. This trade is creating new jobs in America and raising
the standard of living for millions throughout India. America will
continue to work with India to promote free and fair trade - and fuel
economic growth in both countries.
The United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act Will Help
America Achieve Four Key Goals
This Act Will Help Strengthen Cooperation Between India And The
United States On Energy, One Of The Most Important Challenges Of The 21st
Century. India is now the world's fifth largest consumer of energy, and
its demand for electricity is expected almost to double by 2015. The
United States has a clear interest in helping India meet this demand with
nuclear energy. By helping India expand its use of safe, clean nuclear
energy, this Act lays the foundation for a new strategic partnership
between our two nations that will help ease India's demands for fossil
fuels and ease pressure on global markets.
This Act Will Help Promote Economic Growth. This Act helps open
an important new market for American businesses by paving the way for
investment in India's civilian nuclear industry for the first time. This
new trade will help American companies gain new customers abroad and create
new jobs here at home.
This Act Will Help Make It Possible For India To Reduce Emissions
And Improve Its Environment. Today, India produces nearly 70 percent of
its electricity from coal. Burning coal produces air pollution and
greenhouse gases, but nuclear power can generate massive amounts of
electricity without producing any air pollution or greenhouse gases. By
sharing advanced civilian nuclear technology, we will help India meet its
growing demand for energy and lower emissions at the same time.
This Act Will Help Keep America Safe By Paving The Way For India
To Join The Global Effort To Stop The Spread Of Nuclear Weapons. India has
conducted its civilian nuclear energy program in a safe and responsible way
for decades. Now, in return for access to American technology, India has
agreed to open its civilian nuclear power program to international
inspection. After 30 years outside the system, India will now operate its
civilian nuclear energy program under internationally accepted guidelines,
and the world will be safer as a result.