By NNN-PTI,
Washington : Terming the signing of the legislation on Indo-US nuclear deal into law as a “momentous day” for bilateral ties, a senior Republican Congressman, who was instrumental in pushing the landmark agreement, has said the hard work of the two governments has paid off.
“There were many who thought this day would never come. The newspaper headlines that wrote this deal’s obituary were wrong. The hard work of the US and Indian governments, supporters in Congress and the Indian American community has paid off,” Congressman Ed Royce said in a statement.
Royce, who was invited to the White House ceremony during which President George W Bush signed the HR7081 bill into law last night, said “this is truly a momentous day for US-India relations.” In 2006, Royce managed the Hyde Act on the floor of the House of Representatives — which laid the groundwork for last night’s event — fighting back three Democratic “poison pill” amendments designed to scuttle the agreement.
Under the agreement, India separates its civil and military nuclear facilities, gives the IAEA increased access and continues its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing.
Royce chaired the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the 107th Congress, and was instrumental in strengthening relations between the US and India.
He was designated by the Speaker of the House to be an official member of then-President Bill Clinton’s historic delegation to India in 2000.
In 2001, Royce led the effort to lift sanctions against India.