White House to begin efforts to approve nuclear deal

As India secured a historic waiver from the NSG to carry out nuclear commerce, all eyes are now on the Bush administration to commence the process with Congress for approval to operationalise the deal.      

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said she will start talks with Congress leaders today or tomorrow.      

The pressure is building on Congress from the Indian American community that played a phenomenal role in the run up to the passage of the Hyde Act with the refrain in community circles being that "anything" can be done in Washington provided there is a political will.     

A senior community leader from Texas who played an instrumental role in bringing much of his State's delegation to vote for the Hyde Act including two prominent Senators, has called on the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Howard Berman to see the writing on the wall.     

Berman has supported the Hyde Act but is tough on non-proliferation issues; but even he too signalled yesterday that if the administration wanted Congress to change the rules of the time frame then a sufficient case must be put forth—that is the civilian  nuclear agreement is in full conformity with the Hyde Act.     

"Chairman Berman, forty five nations of the NSG have given their approval and now it is time to waive the rules and let this agreement be considered by the congress for up and down vote in this session" the Chairman of the 'US-India Forum' Ashok Mago said.