Giving a boost to the efforts to garner support for the Indo-US nuclear deal, lawmakers belonging to the African American Caucus in the US Congress have expressed support to the agreement and some of them may co-sponsor a legislation needed to implement it.
"I think that nuclear energy, nuclear power and the benefits of nuclear energy can play a great role in the continuing economic development of nations. Obviously all of us are concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons... and the further development of warfare and warfare like activity," Congressman in the Black Caucus Lanny Davis said.
"But for peaceful purposes and when agreements can be worked out and when understandings can be had then what we are talking about is economic development opportunities, peaceful and useful opportunities... then I think we are on the same page," he said at a reception attended by other members of the caucus, Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen and Chicago-based Indian American community.
Davis said he supported India using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes including health, medicine, economic development and was in favour of the civilian nuclear agreement.
"The US and India have always had a certain level of relationship. We regard India as the largest democracy in the world as we become a global universe. So we are looking for ways to become more intricately related to the globalised world and we view India as a heavy link in that chain," he said.
There is also a possibility of a few co-sponsors to the civil nuclear energy agreement in the House of Representatives, lawmakers of the Black Caucus said.
The Congressional Black Caucus is a powerful political group on Capitol Hill and has 43 members, including one United States Senator.
Congressman Jesse Jackson argued that India should not be treated as second class world citizen.
"They are entitled to first class world status. The idea that we should somehow treat some allies with one nuclear standard and to treat India with a completely different nuclear standard, from my perspective, is unacceptable," Jackson said.
He said that the caucus will continue its work in Congress sensitising members of the extraordinary contribution of the people of India.
Indian Ambassador Sen pointed out that the relationship between India and the US was one between two countries that are multi-ethnic and multi-religious, which not only tolerate diversity but also respect diversity.
"It is a relationship in which one can reconcile practice and principle as also ideals and interests. Above all, it is a relationship between people," he said.
The top Indian diplomat told members of the caucus that the bilateral relationship is entering an exciting new chapter with a number of ventures being undertaken that were good for India, the US and the international community and one of these areas was in the realm of energy.
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