    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [October 8, 2008]
    [Pages 1288-1290]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval
    and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act
    October 8, 2008

        Thank you for coming. Welcome to the White House. Today I have the
    honor of signing legislation that builds on the growing ties between the
    world's two largest democracies, India and the United States. This
    legislation will enhance our cooperation in using nuclear energy to
    power our economies; it will help us work together even more closely to
    reduce the danger of nuclear proliferation across the world.
        This legislation represents more than 3 years of hard work by a lot
    of people. I appreciate the work of the Indian-American leaders from
    across the Nation. I thank the Members of the United States Congress for
    working hard on this piece of legislation. I'm especially grateful for
    the leadership provided by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner, Senate
    Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Republican Leader
    Mitch McConnell, who worked
    hard to make sure this bill made it through both Houses at the very end
    of the session. [Laughter]
        I want to thank the Foreign Affairs--[applause]. I thank the leaders
    of the Foreign Affairs Committees in the House and the Senate: Senator
    Joe Biden; Dick Lugar; Chris Dodd, who's with
    us; as well as Representatives Howard Berman and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. I
    also welcome the Members of Congress here on the stage who worked hard
    to get this legislation done. I appreciate so very much the
    contributions of two leaders who played an important role in crafting
    this legislation, the late Henry Hyde and the late Tom Lantos.
        Other Members who've joined us: John Warner, Senator from Virginia; Eliot Engel, Democrat, House Foreign Affairs committee member from New
    York; Congressman Joe Crowley from New York.
    I thank the members of the administration who have joined us--Mr. Vice
    President, thank

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    you. I appreciate the hard work that Secretary of State Condoleezza
    Rice did to bring this deal to fruition, as
    well as Secretary Sam Bodman at the
    Department of Energy.
        I am so honored here that--to have the Ambassador of India to the United States with us; Ambassador Sen, thank
    you for joining us. And I appreciate very much the incredibly efficient
    work of our Ambassador, David Mulford, and
    his wife Jeannie; thank you for
    being here. You didn't do so bad yourself, Ambassador Blackwill--[laughter].
        I thank the congressional staff who worked hard on this legislation.
    I congratulate you for the constructive work. I appreciate the
    supporters of the U.S.-India Nuclear Civil Agreement that are here
    today. All in all, welcome. This is a--it's a big deal.
        Even though the United States and India are separated by half the
    globe, we are natural partners as we head into the 21st century. Both
    our nations emerged from a colonial past to establish vibrant
    democracies. We have welcomed investment and private enterprise to
    become leaders in the global economy. We have stood against the dangers
    posed by extremists, who have carried out attacks in both our countries.
    We have demonstrated that we cherish liberty, honor human dignity, and
    respect the rule of law.
        Despite these common interests and values, it was not long ago that
    relations between the United States and India were strained. In recent
    years, we've worked to transform our relationship into a strong
    strategic partnership. One area where we saw tremendous potential for
    cooperation is energy. As our economies have grown, our demands for
    energy have grown as well. It's become increasingly clear that we need
    to generate that energy in ways that are safe and clean and secure.
        One energy source that can generate large amounts of electricity
    with zero emissions of air pollution or greenhouse gases is nuclear
    power. So 3 years ago, Prime Minister Singh--
    who I consider a dear friend--and I resolved to work together on a
    landmark agreement paving the way for our nations to cooperate on
    nuclear power. By undertaking new cooperation on civil nuclear energy,
    India will be able to count on a reliable fuel supply for its civilian
    reactors, meet the energy demands of its people, and reduce its
    independence [dependence]* on fossil fuels.
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        *White House correction.
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        For our part, the United States will gain access to a growing market
    for civilian nuclear technologies and materials, that will help American
    businesses create more jobs for our people here at home.
        Our agreement will also strengthen global nonproliferation efforts.
    India has committed to operate its civil nuclear energy program under
    the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and other
    international guidelines. India will continue to build on its strong
    record of responsibility in operating its nuclear facilities. And India
    and the United States will cooperate more closely to keep the world's
    most dangerous weapons out of the hands of extremists and terrorists.
        The bill I sign today approves the 123 Agreement I submitted to
    Congress and establishes the legal framework for that agreement to come
    into effect. The bill makes clear that our agreement with India is
    consistent with the Atomic Energy Act and other elements of U.S. law. By
    passing this legislation, my administration and Congress demonstrate our
    common view that nuclear cooperation is in the interests of both the
    United States and India.
        The legislation makes no changes to the terms of the 123 Agreement I
    submitted to Congress. It enables me to bring that agreement into force
    and to accept on behalf of the United States all the obligations that
    are part of the agreement. This legislation does not change the fuel
    assurance

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    commitments that the United States Government has made to the Government
    of India, as recorded in the 123 Agreement. The agreement also grants
    India advance consent to reprocessing, which will be brought into effect
    upon the conclusion of arrangements and procedures for a dedicated
    reprocessing facility under IAEA safeguards.
        This agreement sends a signal to the world: Nations that follow the
    path of democracy and responsible behavior will find a friend in the
    United States of America. The American people are proud of our strong
    relationship with India. And I am confident that the friendship between
    our two nations will grow even closer in the years ahead.
        Laura and I send our best wishes to the
    hundreds of millions of people in India and around the world who will
    begin celebrating the ancient festival of Diwali later this month. As we
    offer our prayers for a happy new year, we can be thankful that the
    relationship between the United States and India has never been more
    vibrant and more hopeful.
        And it's now my honor to sign the United States-India Nuclear
    Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:24 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to India's Ambassador to the U.S.
    Ranendra Sen; U.S. Ambassador to India David C. Mulford and his wife
    Jeannie; former U.S. Ambassador to India Robert D. Blackwill; and Prime
    Minister Manmohan Singh of India. H.R. 7081, approved October 8, was
    assigned Public Law No. 110-369.