N-deal opens pathways for partnership on non-proliferation:US

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jul 21 (PTI) The Indo-US civilian nuclear
deal has opened up new pathways for partnership between the
two countries on non-proliferation issues globally, the White
House said Tuesday.

"Civil nuclear cooperation with India has opened new
pathways for a strengthened US-India partnership on
nonproliferation issues globally," National Security Council
spokesman Benjamin Chang told PTI.

"We look forward to continuing to pursue our commonly
held energy security, nonproliferation, and strategic
objectives as we join with India to provide strong and dynamic
leadership in the international community," Benjamin said,
after US President Barack Obama transmitted Tuesday to the US
Congress his first report on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.

"The report covers the period of October 4, 2008, to
June 30, 2009. It provides an update on US-India civil nuclear
cooperation and developments that relate to India's
nuclear-related activities," Obama wrote to chairman and
ranking members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

However, the content of the report was not made
public, as Obama wrote to them: "Classified information
associated with these issues has been provided in a separate
classified annex."

The report also includes updates on joint efforts by
India and the US to prevent the spread of weapons of mass
destruction.

This is the first report issued by Obama since the
entry into force of the 123 Agreement in December last year.

The report is being offered pursuant to the reporting
requirements of the Henry J Hyde United States-India Peaceful
Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 and the United
States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation
Enhancement Act of 2008, the latter being the approval
legislation for the 123 Agreement. PTI LKJ
AM
NNNN


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