NEW DELHI, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President Bush reportedly called Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the U.S.-India civil nuclear deal which the U.S. Senate may vote on this month.
The U.S. House of Representatives already has approved the deal calling for the United States to provide India with nuclear fuel and technologies for continuing nuclear development. The United States also will work to help India gain more access to world nuclear markets. In return, India will open 14 of its 22 nuclear to international inspection.
In recent weeks, there had been some uncertainty about the deal due to numerous world developments, reports the Press Trust of India.
If the Senate does not take up the issue before its session ends ahead of the mid-term poll, it may have to be done during the brief "lame-duck" session. Failing that, the issue will be sent to the next Congress in January, which means the entire process would have to start anew.
Last week, Singh said the Bush administration expects the bill to be passed.
