[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 40 (Monday, October 13, 2008)]
[Pages 1318-1320]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
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 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
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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.
* White House correction.
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 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.
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