US lawmaker Joe Wilson pledges to 'revive' Indo-US nuclear deal

COLOMBIA (SOUTH CAROLINA): A leading US Congressman has pledged to make the Indo-US Civil Nuclear deal operational for the benefit of both the countries.


Congressman Joe Wilson of South California told PTI in an interview here that he was concerned that the joint efforts of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former President George Bush resulting in the historic agreement is not put to any use, despite being enacted as a law by the both the governments.

"It's imperative not only from the Indian context that India needs clean and stable energy to meet its demands but the agreement would help us create more jobs and help improve economy," the senior leader of Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans said.

The statement assumes importance with the impending visit of Prime Minister Singh to the US next month to attend UN General Assembly and for a bilateral summit with President Barack Obama.

The US Congress on Oct 1, 2008, gave final approval to an agreement facilitating nuclear cooperation between the United States and India. The deal is seen as a watershed in US-India ties and introduces a new aspect to international nonproliferation efforts.

First introduced in the joint statement released by President Bush and Prime Minister Singh on July 18, 2005, the deal lifts a three-decade US moratorium on nuclear trade with India. It provides US assistance to India's civilian nuclear energy programme, and expands US-India cooperation in energy and satellite technology.

When asked whether the Obama administration has put the agreement in cold storage, Congressman Wilson said that things can be sorted out without getting into politics.

"There is an urgent need to make it fully operational without wasting much time. I will ensure that the Congress takes cognisance of this and act in the best interest of the United States," he said.

Wilson said it baffles him what's going on in Pakistan. "A stable Pakistan is in the best interest of both India and the US. Domestic peace in the country must be ensured for peace in the region. Although India is the strategic partner of the US, Washington should continue to engage with Islamabad to ensure a Taliban-free government in place."

Wilson, who had visited Afghanistan 13 times in recent past, said the role of India in shaping modern Afghanistan is tremendous.

"Almost 80 per cent of the people in Afghanistan use mobile phones like in India and kids go to school. There is a new impetus on learning and research and the nation-building efforts have become fruitful there," he said.

The ranking Congressman serves on the House Armed Services Committee where he chairs the sub-committee on Military Personal and also a member of House Foreign Affairs Committee. He was appointed Republican Leader of the highly-influential Republican Policy Committee and works as Assistant Republican Whip in the House.