Iran nuclear impasse could hurt US-India atomic deal

By Carol Giacomo, Diplomatic Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A landmark U.S.-Indian nuclear
cooperation deal could be hampered by India’s reluctance to
refer Iran’s nuclear program to the U.N. Security Council and
to open enough of its own atomic facilities to inspection, U.S.
officials and experts said on Friday.

Both issues will be discussed when Undersecretary of State
R. Nicholas Burns visits New Delhi for talks on January 19.

Bush, in a controversial policy shift last July 18,
promised nuclear-armed India full cooperation in developing its
civilian atomic power industry in return for New Delhi’s
commitment to international nonproliferation standards.

The deal, which would lift a 30-year ban on nuclear
commerce between the two countries, must be approved by the
U.S. Congress. The 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Groups is also
being asked to change its rules.

India sided with the United States and major European
powers when the U.N. watchdog agency last September declared
Iran had failed to comply with its international obligations.
The West accuses Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, but
Tehran says it wants nuclear technology to produce electricity.

The vote in the International Atomic Energy Agency came
after U.S. congressmen warned the U.S.-India agreement could be
at risk if New Delhi did not work with Washington to punish
Tehran for nuclear-weapons related activities.

When Iran this week raised the stakes by resuming nuclear
fuel research, western powers said they would take Iran to the
U.N. Security Council, where sanctions could be imposed.

They claim a majority of IAEA members will support referral
but are keen for yes votes from India and veto-wielding
Security Council members Russia and China.

The Indian Embassy in Washington and the State Department
refused to say if New Delhi would support this move.

But a U.S. official told Reuters India’s position is “all
up in the air” and a European diplomat confirmed sending Iran
to the Security Council “remains very difficult for the
Indians.” Both sources are involved in the Iran diplomacy.

Despite vastly improving ties with Washington, India, a
rising power with voracious energy needs, is pursuing a
U.S.-opposed gas pipeline project with Iran and as leader of
the Non-Aligned Movement has prized its independent foreign
policy.

After India voted with the Western powers in September,
Indian officials seemed to back off the decision in the face of
domestic criticism.

“This is a key strategic decision for them. If they were to
vote against U.N. referral, I can’t see there being any life
left in the nuclear deal,” the European diplomat said.

A senior congressional aide added: “If India does anything
but vote yes, it could slow up the agreement significantly.”

The other big issue involves the deal’s centerpiece,
India’s promise to separate military and civilian nuclear
facilities and open civilian facilities to IAEA inspection.

The plan is aimed at ensuring future U.S.-supplied nuclear
fuel and reactors do not advance India’s weapons program.

President George W. Bush is to visit New Delhi by March and
both sides hope a separation plan could be settled by then.

India gave the United States a draft proposal last month
but U.S. and European officials said it fell short of the
administration’s requirements.