Time short for US-India nuclear deal

The Associated Press
Sep 8, 2008

A U.S.-Indian civil nuclear cooperation accord, one of President Bush's top foreign policy initiatives, may finally have run out of time this year despite a crucial international endorsement secured during the weekend. With Congress expected to stop work for the year late this month, lawmakers would have to rush to push through the deal. Some in Congress, however, are vowing a careful review of U.S.-Indian nuclear negotiations. That could leave it in the hands of a new Congress and new president come January, and it is unclear whether the proposed agreement would remain a priority. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's spokesman said Monday that the State Department is working hard to get the deal approved, reaching out to the Democratic chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of the House and Senate, Rep. Howard Berman and Sen. Joe Biden.