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http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=1677864

U.S., India Reach Agreement on Nuke Deal
U.S., India Reach Agreement on Landmark Civil Nuclear Deal During Bush Visit
By DEB RIECHMANN
The Associated Press

NEW DELHI, India - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush announced Thursday their nations have reached agreement on a landmark nuclear deal, a coup for Bush's first visit to India.

"We have reached an understanding on the implementation of our agreement on civil nuclear cooperation," Singh said during a joint appearance by the two leaders. "I have conveyed to the president that India has finalized the identification of civilian facilities to which we had committed."

Under the accord, the United States would share American nuclear know-how and fuel with India to help power its fast-growing economy, even though India won't sign the international nonproliferation treaty. It would represent a major shift in policy for the United States, which imposed temporary sanctions on India in 1998 after it conducted nuclear tests.

"We concluded an historic agreement today on nuclear power," Bush said. "It's not an easy job for the prime minister to achieve this agreement. I understand. It's not easy for the American president to achieve this agreement."

Bush, mindful of opposition among some in the U.S. Congress to such a deal, called it "a necessary agreement."

"It's one that will help both our peoples," he said. "Again, I applaud you for your courage and your leadership."