Specter urges India to OK deal

NEW DELHI — A prominent U.S. senator met with India's prime minister Saturday in an effort to allay concerns that a new joint nuclear pact could put New Delhi at odds with Iran.

Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, said he urged Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to move ahead with the deal because it would benefit both India and the U.S.

New Delhi is concerned about a nonbinding clause, inserted by the U.S. Congress, that directs the White House to determine whether India is cooperating with Washington's efforts to confront Iran about its nuclear program.

Under the deal, the United States agreed to supply the Indian power industry with fuel and technology, reversing 30 years of U.S. atomic policy.

In exchange, India has agreed to place 14 civilian nuclear plants under international inspections. Eight military plants would remain off-limits.

There are fears that the deal could limit India's right to reprocess spent atomic fuel and employ other sensitive nuclear technologies.

Specter, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said "the United States will be flexible in negotiations" on the agreement.

"For India to get U.S. technology in the nuclear field is a big plus," Specter said after meeting with Singh.

"When you consider the sensitivities of the United States about giving advanced nuclear technology to a country which has nuclear weapons, it is a matter of concern," he added. "We gave up something very substantial because we know India is a responsible country."