[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H9413-H9414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 UNITED STATES-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR DEAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this evening I rise to encourage my fellow 
Members of Congress to support the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Deal. 
Recently the 45 nations of the Nuclear Suppliers Group waived the ban 
on nuclear trade with India. This paved the way for Congress to act 
swiftly to pass the U.S.-Indian Civil Nuclear Deal into law. This 
agreement will reduce pressure on energy markets, benefits both 
nations' economies and strengthens the U.S.-India strategic global 
partnership.
  It will bring positive benefits to both the United States and India. 
It will permit both countries to engage in shared civil nuclear 
research and development and commercial trade of technology and fuel 
while guaranteeing safeguards on all civil nuclear material.
  Mr. Speaker, completion of this agreement will represent an important 
milestone in accelerating commercial and cultural ties between the 
American people and the people of India. But obstacles remain. We must 
work with the administration to ensure the agreement comes up for a 
final vote this year, before Congress adjourns. The United States has a 
significant strategic partnership with India. This civilian nuclear 
cooperation agreement is a critical component to building on that 
successful partnership.
  The agreement strengthens energy security for the United States and 
India. By diversifying the energy markets and creating greater energy 
supply, the civil nuclear agreement promotes the development of stable 
and efficient energy markets in India. Expansion of U.S.-India civil 
nuclear cooperation should, over time, lessen India's dependence on 
imported hydrocarbons, including those from Iran.
  The nuclear agreement will also bolster both nations' economies. For 
the United States, the agreement opens up a major new market for 
technology exports and investment that is currently off limits. And it 
brings India into the global nuclear nonproliferation regime as a fully 
invested partner. India is committed to preventing proliferation from 
its civilian nuclear program and protecting against diversion of 
nuclear materials and technologies.
  Finally, the civil nuclear agreement will provide the foundation of a 
promising U.S.-India alliance that will serve as a defense against 
terrorism and nuclear proliferation. The U.S. has an important stake in 
ensuring regional stability in South Asia, even as Pakistan continues 
to produce and test nuclear weapons without proper safeguards.

[[Page H9414]]

With uncertainty in Pakistan and the continuing influence of al Qaeda 
on the Afghanistan and Pakistan border, it is essential that India 
remain our strategic ally.
  Mr. Speaker, 15 years ago, I formed the Congressional Caucus on India 
and Indian Americans in order to work for a stronger bilateral 
relationship between the United States and India. Today the world's two 
largest democracies have established a remarkable strategic partnership 
that can only be strengthened by civil nuclear cooperation.
  Mr. Speaker, we should all do everything we can to see that the U.S. 
civil nuclear agreement receives final approval in Washington so that 
the world can begin to benefit from its implementation and we can 
embark on a new era of U.S.-India relations.

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