WASHINGTON, June 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President Bush's plan for a more liberal nuclear relationship with India may be delayed or derailed by Congress, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Senate may wait until after the November elections before taking up the plan, which Bush wants in order to cement Asian superpower relations in the face of China's growth and Iran's nuclear ambition, the newspaper said.
The plan calls on Congress to amend nuclear non-proliferation laws so the United States can deal technology to India, now prohibited because India hasn't signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
Then Bush wants Congress to approve a separate U.S.-India treaty enforcing the new relationship.
India, in turn, would allow U.N. inspectors into its civilian nuclear facilities, although its military nuclear program would stay secret.
Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., said Congress wants closer ties with India but considers it an insult to be asked to change its nuclear non-proliferation laws.
India is seen as a key ally as China's influence grows with Pakistan and Russia, and possibly Iran, the Times said.
