UNSTUCK:

U.S., India Seal Nuclear Deal (Jim VandeHei, March 2, 2006, Washington Post)

In a break from decades of U.S. policy, President Bush agreed Thursday to provide nuclear energy assistance to India for the first time in exchange for imposing new safeguards on India's civilian weapons facilities. [...]

Under the deal, the United States offered India nuclear fuel and technology in return for India agreeing to put a wall between its civilian and military nuclear facilities and place its civilian program under international inspections.

Bush and Singh hailed the deal as an historic breakthrough in U.S.-India relations, less than a decade after the two nations were estranged and bitterly divided over India's nuclear ambitions. "What this agreement says is -- things change, times change, that leadership can make a difference," Bush said at a joint press conference . [...]

"I'm trying to think differently," Bush said, "not to stay stuck in the past, and recognize that by thinking differently, particularly on nuclear power, we can achieve some important objectives," Bush said. [...]

In a lunchtime toast, Singh told Mrs. Bush: "I'm truly sorry that the president is not taking you to Taj Mahal this time. I hope he will be more chivalrous the next time you are here." Bush laughed and promised the would visit the 350-year-old wonder -- next time.

Which should be soon.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 2, 2006 8:22 AM