Bush assures fuel supplies to India

WASHINGTON: Allaying India's fears on certain provisions of the legislation on Indo-US nuclear deal which he signed into law, President George W Bush has said there are "no changes" in fuel supply commitments as provided in the 123 Agreement.

"This legislation does not change the fuel assurance commitments that the US government has made to the Government of India as recorded in the 123 Agreement," Bush said while signing the HR7081 bill into law last night, paving the way for the two countries to finally ink the deal tomorrow.

Bush's remarks came against the backdrop of concerns expressed by India over the fuel supplies following his Administration's assertion that the assurances were only political commitments and not legally binding.

"The Agreement grants India advance consent to reprocessing which will be brought into effect upon conclusion of arrangements and procedures for a dedicated reprocessing facility under IAEA safeguards," Bush said.

Describing Bush's signing of the legislation into law a "new beginning" in bilateral ties, Indian Ambassador to US, Ronen Sen, said New Delhi's concerns on certain provisions of the bill have been addressed.

"Absolutely", remarked Sen when asked by reporters if the President's address at the signing of the legislation met all of India's concerns.

"I think the statement (of Bush) speaks for itself... all concerns that have been expressed who fear the implications of certain elements of the legislation. All those have been met," Sen said in response to a query on fuel supply assurances.

Earlier in the day, the State Department said External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will formally sign the overall bilateral nuclear cooperation accord on Friday.