The U.S.–India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

Condoleezza Rice and Pranab Mukherjee signed the civil nuclear cooperation agreement in Washington on 10 October 2008, two days after George W. Bush signed the legislation approving it. The agreement would permit nuclear commerce that American law and international export rules had long restricted. [1]

India’s 1974 nuclear test had helped prompt tighter export controls, and its 1998 tests had brought American sanctions. In July 2005, Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proposed cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, which required changes in American law and an exception to Nuclear Suppliers Group rules. [1]

India agreed to identify civilian facilities and place designated reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, while its military program remained outside the arrangement. Opponents questioned whether civilian cooperation could indirectly benefit weapons production. After years of negotiation, the agreement entered into force on 6 December 2008, establishing the legal basis for nuclear trade. [1]

Related Diplomats

1. Ronen Sen [3] [4] [5]

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• India and the United States