Posted on 12/18/2006 1:59:23 PM PST by indcons
WASHINGTON: Amid delight in many quarters and distress in others, US president George Bush on Monday signed into law the so-called Hyde Act that is expected to end India's nuclear isolation and pave way for a strong US-India alliance in the 21st century.
Striding briskly into a colourfully decorated White House East Room at 10.45 am, the president told an excited and partisan audience of supporters that nuclear cooperation would strengthen the partnership between the two largest democracies, aside from other benefits in terms of energy and environment.
"The relationship between the United States and India has never been more vital," Bush said in a 10-minute address that dealt primarily with the big geo-strategic implications of the deal, as against the the nuclear-specific grounds on which critics have opposed the deal.
Bush used former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's expression of India and the US being "natural partners" to stress that "rivalries that once kept our nations apart are no more". But Bush also provided ammo for critics of the deal in India by tagging a non-proliferation angle to what was primarily intended to be a nuclear energy deal.
"The bill will help keep America safe by paving the way for India to join the global effort to stop the spread of nuclear weapons," he said. The White House East Room was festooned with Christmas decorations and Indian and American flags as Bush took the podium, flanked by a Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington and Martha Washington.
More than 100 eminences grises, including secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, her deputy Nicholas Burns, key lawmakers, diplomats, analysts, and members of the Indian-American community attended the signing ceremony in a room where it is said First Lady Dolly Madison once hung her laundry.
First Daughter Amy Carter roller-skated here and Carolyn Kennedy rode her pony macaroni, White House staff recollected as the gathering waited for the president to arrive. The conversation provided appropriate metaphors for a deal that seems far from finished even though Bush has signed the United States Bill into law. There are still some slippery areas ahead and critics from both sides will be hanging out plenty of dirty laundry in the days to come.
Bush himself indicated that it was still a work in progress, describing the bill signing as "one of the most important steps," which is "going to help clear the way for us to move forward with this process."
That process will include a yet to be signed bilateral agreement called the 123 Agreement, and the joke among hacks was that it would be followed by the 456 and 789 agreements. Still, there was a sense of accomplishment on both sides at what has been achieved so far. Perhaps reflective and symbolic of the warming relationship between the two countries, it was also an an unusually warm day in Washington for winter (25ºC).
It'll be interesting to see what the ChiComs do next in response.
Bush's move towards India (and vice versa) will turn out to be one of, if not the singular, most significant foreign alliances since NATO.
It is a true legacy that historians will talk about 100 years from now.
Good news ping
Very Nice!
Not to mention the muzzie crowd. They're not going to like a strong pro-US ally in their midst. Is it unreasonable to expect an increase in violence int the region following this?
Muslim violence is always a standard and expected reaction (irrespective of the causes). I won't be surprised if the Muzzies and the Communists (who share the spoils in India's federal government) stage a bunch of protests, riots, and the like over the next few months. Morons - all of them.
Absolutely! This President, while by no means perfect, will definitely be treated well by history, especially for things like this that will benefit America throughout this century.
of course the media ignores but history will look back on this as huge
Correct me if I'm wrong- but isn't India kinda infiltrated with Muslims in their government? http://sacredscoop.com
Yep. Bush just made us 1 billion new allies.
The Chicoms responce will be to get Russia to cut off all relations with India. (Which it appears to be happening)
Muslims are in a distinct minority in India.
Did Roger Clinton do lines there as well?
Thanks mean- wasn't sure-
You're right to an extent. The current federal government in India is supported by the usual list of suspects: Leftist/Progressive/Socialist/Communist/Islamofascist scum.
India would be an awesome ally to have.
hmmmmm
English speaking, capitalist, a billion people with their own problems with Muslim terrorists, a counterweight to China...and pretty hot women.
They need to flush them out...
India has even signed idiotic treaties with China as of late, because of the Leftists.
Don't worry Thunder90, we know what the Chicoms are worth. We know it best, we have faced off them on a one on one. We wont be allies of the Chicoms. The US really did win one steadfast ally. As an Indian, I can confidently say that now we are clearly PRO US.
And there is 850 Million+ non-Muslims in the country....
Your point?
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